Billy Payne was giving his first press conference as Augusta chairman

The event's organisers were criticised when they stopped awarding the places in 2000 and instead offered more places off the world rankings and money lists.

The new places will come from scrapping invites for the top 10 on the US money list the week before next year's event.

And only the top 30 from the FedExCup series this summer will get in instead of the 40 at the end of this year.

"We all thought it appropriate we bring it back," said new Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, pointing out that discussions on the matter had already started before he took over from the long-serving Hootie Johnson.

"We missed the excitement of the winner of a PGA Tour event immediately qualifying for the Masters."

We applaud Billy Payne and the Masters for these changes, and the PGA Tour looks forward to the implementation of these new qualifications in 2008 PGA Tour boss Tim Finchem

Winners on the US-based circuit had qualified automatically for the Masters from 1972-1999. And the 30 leaders on the PGA money list had also been invited from 1983-99 when it was increased by 10 spots for the 2000 event.

The move was welcomed by PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who said: "The PGA Tour is delighted with today's announcement of the revised eligibility qualifications for the Masters Tournament.

"A restoration of the historic linkage between winning a tour event and gaining access to the Masters will be enthusiastically greeted by players and fans alike.

"We also appreciate that today's changes provide access to players who compete in the Tour Championship (13-16 September) by virtue of their finish in the top 30 in FedExCup points.

"Also, the access granted to players who are ranked among the top 30 in our season-ending money list provides added meaning to the tour's Fall Series events.

"We applaud Billy Payne and the Masters for these changes, and the PGA Tour looks forward to the implementation of these new qualifications in 2008 and beyond."

The 59-year-old Payne, who was instrumental in bringing the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta, took over from Johnson last year to become only the sixth chairman of the club since it was founded in 1934.

As well as bringing back the pre-2000 policy of awarding Masters invites to US Tour winners, Payne has also revived an Augusta tradition last seen in 2002 by persuading Arnold Palmer to serve as an honorary starter this year.

Payne, however, refused to be drawn into making any real comment on the continuing controversy over the club's refusal to admit female members and he also ruled out any further lengthening of the course in the near future.