Australian golf star Lucas Herbert has cruelly missed out on a Masters berth by one lousy ranking spot.
That's the bitter postscript to Herbert's stellar showing at the $US20 million ($A30m) WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas.
After sweeping through the group stage with three stylish victories, Herbert was eliminated in the round of 16 by a red-hot Rory McIlroy.
Herbert pushed the world No.3 all the way before going two down to McIlroy in what ultimately cost the 27-year-old a ticket to Augusta National.
Herbert climbed five spots in the rankings on Monday to 51st but needed to be in the top 50 as of next Sunday to earn a Masters invite.
Alas, he isn't listed to play at this week's Valero Texas Open, which not only would have given Herbert one last chance to boost his ranking but also offers a Masters entry to the tournament winner.
No Herbert leaves five Australians in the field for the Masters, the season's first major championship starting on April 6.
World No.5 Cameron Smith will spearhead the Australian challenge despite defecting to LIV Golf and being suspended from the PGA Tour.
As the 2022 British Open champion, Smith is eligible for all four majors for at least five years.
The 29-year-old boasts a great record at Augusta.
He was joint runner-up at the 2020 Masters, equal third last year, tied for fifth in 2018 and tied for 10th in 2021.
The resurgent Jason Day, who reached the Match Play quarter-finals before losing to world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott and world No.47 Min Woo Lee are also returning.
YouTube sensation Harrison Crowe, whose extraordinary shot from outside a pub on to the 18th green at the home of golf last year went viral, also earned a golden ticket to the Masters by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.
But, like Herbert, Marc Leishman won't be back at Augusta this year either.
Leishman has dropped out of the world's top 50 since joining the LIV league, meaning the 29-year-old's streak of 30 consecutive major appearances is over.
Crowe's victory in Asia, meanwhile, also secured the Sydneysider a start at this year's British Open.
And now his St Michael's clubmate Angus Smyth has also won a spot at Royal Liverpool after finishing third at the inaugural World City Championship at the Hong Kong Golf Club on Sunday.
