Alex Elias
Reigning NCAA Champion, Gordon Sargent has already garnered the attention of the patrons, players in the field, and media at Augusta. Playing a practice round with Justin Thomas and Max Homa on Monday and Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka on Tuesday, the 20-year-old Vanderbilt sophomore's length was on full display.
Sargent, the No. 2 amateur in the world, is the first amateur in twenty-three years to receive special exception to Augusta National. Describing Sargent's game, Vanderbilt teammate John Broderick said, "Gordon obviously has incredible talent, but he is very disciplined. He always practices with a purpose." Broderick continued, "He treats every round like a tournament round. He's a very good on course decision maker."
Speaking of Sargent as a teammate, Broderick said, "As a teammate, he is great. He never puts himself above the team and always gives the other guys and I time when we need or ask." Gordon Sargent, Zach Johnson, and Jason Day are scheduled to tee off at 12:48 on Thursday and 9:36 on Friday.
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Alex Elias Seven amateurs are set to compete in the 2023 Masters: Sam Bennett, Ben Carr, Harrison Crowe, Mateo Fernandez de Oliveria, Matthew McLean, Aldrich Potgieter, and Gordon Sargent. In 2021, Ollie Osborne, the U.S. Amateur Runner-Up, was one of three amateurs. As advice to this year's amateurs, Osborne said, "Everyone in the field is nervous. It doesn't matter if you're Scheffler, DJ, or an amateur, everyone is feeling the nerves." Osborne continued, "Embrace the feeling. Soak in the moment and make sure to have some fun out there."
When Osborne was an amateur, the then Junior at SMU played alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Kevin Na on Monday and Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland on Tuesday. Osborne said, "It's a great experience to play in the Masters as an amateur, so take full advantage of it. Don't be afraid to go play a Practice Round with the guys you look up to. You will learn so much from them and it's a hell of an experience."
Alex Elias
The Masters Champions Dinner
The Masters Champions Dinner is held on the Tuesday night before the tournament begins. In order to attend, you have to be a Masters champion. The first Masters Champions Dinner was hosted in 1952 by Ben Hogan. Per tradition, the previous year’s champion chooses the menu.
Skipping the Ball Across 16
While No. 16, named "Redbud", provides immense excitement, particularly on Sunday, No. 16 also sees quite a bit of action during each year's practice rounds. Each year, players can be seen skipping their ball across the water and onto No. 16 green. Notably, in November 2020, Jon Rahm aced the tradition. A Symphony on No. 16
Par 3 Contest
After having not been contested the previous two years (COVID-19), the Par 3 Contest returned in 2022. The 2023 Par 3 Contest will mark the debut of the renovated Par 3 course. In previous years, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler have played together and Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson have, featuring countless memories, including back-to-back aces and a hole-in-one from Nicklaus' grandson, G.T.. Last year's Par 3 Contest was won by Matt Wallace. Notably, no Par 3 Contest winner has won the Masters the same year as his short-course victory and Jimmy Walker set the course record of 19 in 2016.
The Food Prices
The menu, marked by signature items such the Pimento Cheese Sandwich and the Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich, features concessions that exceed no more than six dollars.
The Ceremonial Opening Tee Shot
The ceremonial opening tee shot began in 1963. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod hit the first ceremonial opening tee shots, and fellow legends of the game such as Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ken Venturi, Arnold Palmer and Lee Elder have taken part since. Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson are set to participate in the Honorary Starters Ceremony on Thursday morning.
The Green Jacket Ceremony
The phrase "A Tradition Unlike Any Other" was coined by CBS golf commentator Jim Nantz, and fittingly another tradition concludes the Masters. A Green Jacket is presented to the Masters champion in the immediate aftermath of their win, presented by defending champion. |
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