Brandt Snedeker needs hot start in 2015 to become eligible for Masters

NAPLES, Fla. – Brandt Snedeker had to withdraw from the Bridgestone Open in Japan because of a stomach ailment, and he went home to Tennessee to get it checked out, which caused him to miss the CIMB Classic in Malaysia. He returned to Shanghai for the HSBC Champions and tied for 10th. 

 

Missing those two events in Asia could be costly. Snedeker is projected to fall out of the top 50 in the world ranking by the end of the year, which is important because he is not yet eligible for the Masters. He'll have three months at the start of next year to get back into the top 50 or win a tournament to become eligible. 

 

Ian Poulter was flirting with a fall from the top 50 for the first time in eight years until a runner-up finish in Turkey and a top 10 in Shanghai. He is No. 26 going into Dubai this week and now entrenched in the top 50. 

 

Steve Stricker, in semi-retirement, is now at No. 36 (he started the year at No. 8), but is not in any danger of falling out. He has the Hero World Challenge in two weeks.