10 players who aren't in Augusta but will be next year

They didn't get an invitation to Augusta National this year, but Stan Awtrey says that these 10 guys won't be twiddling their thumbs this time next year. In fact, he thinks one of them might even add a Green Jacket to his wardrobe.

By Stan Awtrey, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

Not often do fans at Augusta National ask about a player who isn't in the field. But occasionally they'll look down the list of participants to find a missing name and express surprise when they're not competing. This began in 1934 when patron No. 001 asked, "Why isn't Gene Sarazen here?" The Squire was actually invited, but had a previous commitment and skipped the first tournament, only to come back and win it in 1935.

All the people who need to be in Augusta are here this week. Tiger Woods is there; he even showed up earlier than usual and played a Monday practice round with Fred Couples, who no doubt asked, "What have you been up to lately?" Phil Mickelson is here, with two drivers, a bag full of wedges and a duffel bag full of questions about his game. Ernie Els is here with more promise and momentum that he's carried in years, perhaps enough to win one of the jackets that were snatched from his back.

There are a dozen or so guys who will be missed this week. Not that any of them would have been picked as the favorite. More than likely they would have been a seventh-round pick in a Masters pool, somewhere ahead of the U.S. Mid-Am champion and the past champion who still gets a kick out of participating. But just because a player isn't highly touted by some genius with a microphone or a laptop doesn't mean they should be discounted. Let ye who say they picked Zach Johnson, Trevor Immelman or Angel Cabrera be the first to take a lie detector test.

But there are some guys who we'd like to see in the field. They didn't get an invitation this year, but here's guessing that these 10 guys won't be twiddling their thumbs this time next year. They're more likely to be standing in Amen Corner instead of the, ahem, corner.  Here are 10 players who will be back in Augusta to chase the Green Jacket in 2011.

* Charles Howell III: It hurts him not to play in the Masters and it would be difficult to find a player to whom a victory at Augusta National would mean more. He's had a very solid season and is on the road to making a return trip.

* Stuart Appleby: His game has started to show signs of revival, which would be nice to see. He was the third-round leader in 2007, but didn't respond well in that frigid final round and Zach Johnson took the championship.

* D.J. Trahan: His only drawback is on the greens -- a somewhat large part of being able to compete at Augusta. But his ball striking is outstanding and he knows how to win on the TOUR. He definitely belongs at the Masters.

* Vaughn Taylor: He nearly crept in at the wire this year, losing in a playoff at Houston. Now that he's healthy again, don't expect the Augusta native to stay on the outside. Besides, he putts well enough to win the Masters.

* Boo Weekley: Somewhere there's a pond full of trophy bass trying to get Boo a pass to Augusta for 2011. Fact is, Boo may be the only player not in this week's field who won't actually watch part of the tournament on television.

* Justin Rose: Here's another guy who's shown the ability to go low at Augusta National. He was the first-round leader in 2007 and 2008.

* Bubba Watson: Isn't there some special codicil in the Masters qualifications that guarantees a spot to anyone who hits it a mile, plays with a pink-shafted driver and has been on "Ellen?"

* J.B. Holmes: Isn't there some special codicil in the Masters qualifications that guarantees a spot to anyone who hits it a mile, chews tobacco and stars on a Ryder Cup team? He's won more money this season than any other non-qualifier for the Masters.

* Brandt Snedeker: It's easy to pull for this guy. He was emotionally distraught after his final-round 77 in 2008, knowing that a round of even par (even amid very windy conditions) would have given him the championship. After a stumble early last year, Sneds is back. And he'll be back at Augusta next year.

* Rickie Fowler: OK, this may be the one guy you hear people ask about. After all, he's on this month's cover of Golf Digest. Doesn't that get you an automatic exemption? He's get in next year, either by reaching the TOUR Championship, by being among the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings (he's 76th; was 249th when the season began), or simply by winning.

These 10 men will need to find something to keep them busy this week. A year from now they'll probably take their turn holding court beneath the big tree near the clubhouse. And don't be surprised to see one of them being interviewed in the Butler Cabin. They've just got to get there.