Colin Montgomerie has heavily criticised the decision to invite three non-qualifying Asian players to this month's Masters at Augusta.

Montgomerie, who failed to qualify for the season's opening major for only the second time in 17 years, believes thinly-veiled corporate greed is behind the inclusion of China's Liang Wen-Chong, Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and India's Jeev Milkha Singh.

"It's a strange way to make up a field for a major championship - TV rights," he said.

"They are quite open about why, just as they were when I missed out last time in 2005, when they picked Shingo Katayama, then 67th in the world. I was 51st at the time - they picked him over me for the Japanese TV rights."

44-year-old Montgomerie is currently ranked 75th in the world - well outside the top 50 guaranteed spots at the Masters - and missed his last chance to qualify by finishing a lowly 65th at the World Golf Championship in Miami last month.

The Scot believes inviting players based solely on their nationality has blighted his chances of lifting his first major championship in Georgia.

"There are enough Brits in the field, so there won't be a call. Now if I were the only person in the country, a la China, I might get in," he said.

"It would be easier to swallow if no one was invited and the entry list was based on sporting and not commercial criteria."

Billy Payne, the Augusta chairman, has defended the new initiative - citing the need to spread golf's gospel as the motivating factor behind offering invites to the three players, who are ranked 80th, 93rd and 100th in the world.

"They are outstanding representatives of their respective countries," he said. "This is also another component in our objective of growing the game of golf worldwide utilising the Masters brand.

"We think the interest in golf in each country will heighten when these players compete in the Masters."

There are currently 87 players confirmed in the field for this year's tournament - including a host of former winners who earn lifetime invitations.

American Zach Johnson will be defending his title when the Masters gets underway on April 10th.

Will Tidey / Eurosport