Number after each name indicates the basis of qualification. The Masters Committee, at its discretion, also invites international players not otherwise qualified.
1. Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime)
2. US Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
3. British Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
4. PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
5. Winners of The Players Championship (2007 and 2008)
6. Current US Amateur Champion (6-A) (Honorary, non-competing after one year) and the runner-up (6-B) to the current US Amateur Champion
7. Current British Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after one year)
8. Current US Amateur Public Links Champion
9. Current US Mid-Amateur Champion
10. The first 16 players, including ties, in the 2008 Masters Tournament
11. The first 8 players, including ties, in the 2008 US Open Championship
12. The first 4 players, including ties, in the 2008 British Open Championship
13. The first 4 players, including ties, in the 2008 PGA Championship
14. The 30 leaders on the Final Official PGA Tour Money List for 2008
15. Winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship, from previous Masters to current Masters
16. Those qualifying for the season-ending 2008 Tour Championship
17. The 50 leaders on the Final Official World Golf Ranking for 2008
18. The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the 2009 Masters Tournament.