Bowden berates Masters move

AMERICAN Craig Bowden, early halfway leader in the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta, has slammed as "ridiculous" the fact that if he wins tomorrow he will not be playing in next week's Masters.

While overnight leader Jose Maria Olazabal crashed to a 77 and Players Championship winner Adam Scott collapsed to a 79, Bowden added a 71 to his opening 66 for a seven under par score of 137.

"I think that if anybody wins on the PGA Tour you should get an exemption into the Masters," said the 35-year-old, pointing out that the field for the first major of the season is less than 100-strong compared to the other three's 150-plus.