18 rookies in 2007 Masters field

AUGUSTA, Ga., March 26 (UPI) -- A total of 18 tournament rookies are among the 107 golfers invited to play in next week's Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga.

Officials at Augusta National Golf Club said they expected 97 of those invited to compete in the first major of the year.

The field includes five amateurs and 18 Masters rookies. Those first-timers are Bradley Dredge, Johan Edfors, Kenneth Ferrie, British Amateur champ Julien Guerrier, J.J. Henry, Robert Karlsson, U.S. Amateur runner-up John Kelly, Troy Matteson, Brett Quigley, U.S. Amateur winner Richie Ramsay, Jeev Milkha Singh, Tanihara, Camilo Villegas, U.S. Amateur Public Links champ Casey Watabu, Brett Wetterich, Dean Wilson, U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Dave Womack and Yong-Eun Yang.

Phil Mickelson will be in the field to defend his 2006 Masters title. The tournament runs April 5-8.