2017 Masters: Four Standout Amateurs Earn Tee Times
The place of outstanding amateurs in the 2017 Masters field is an enduring part of the tournament’s many traditions.
The game’s outstanding amateurs have always had a place in the Masters field. Bobby Jones made certain of that in 1934.
That year Jones invited 10 outstanding amateurs to join him and play alongside the 50 professional golfers at the inaugural Masters tournament on the golf course 2014 US Amateur Champion Gunn Yang has characterized as “sacred ground for golf.”
The inclusion of amateurs in the Masters has become deeply engrained in the rich and complex traditions of the event. Today, the US Amateur Champion – Curtis Luck – is paired for the first two rounds with the reigning Masters Champion – Danny Willett, this year – and another prominent professional.
Could an amateur win the Masters? Not likely – it’s never happened. The closest any amateur has ever gotten to the green jacket was 1965, the year Ken Venturi finished in the solo runner-up position.
Still, there’s the low amateur award waiting for one of these players and there’s plenty of talent in their bags. For many, the Masters is a preview of what’s to come as they finish out their amateur careers and turn pro.
DeChambeau, Connors, Goss, and Tianlang
But talent alone won’t assure their success in the world of pro golf. That’s certainly been the case for the last four players who’ve collected the low amateur award: Bryson DeChambeau (2016), Corey Connors (2015), Oliver Goss (2014), and Guan Tianlang (2013).
DeChambeau turned pro last year immediately following the Masters, played PGA Tour events on sponsor invites in an attempt to qualify quickly for a Tour card, failed to do so, and dropped down to the Web.com Tour. He notched his first pro win at the Tour’s DAP Championship, then moved up to the PGA Tour. DeChambeau is currently 151st in the OWGR and 177th in the FedEx Cup rankings.
Connors and Goss are both currently playing on the Web.com Tour. Connors currently ranks 12th on the Tour’s money list and has recorded 2 top-10s this season. Goss, with 1 top-10 finish, ranks 106th on the money list. They’re both still looking for their first pro victory.
Guan Tianlang’s situation is less clear. The winner of the 2012 Asian-Pacific Amateur was only 14 when he played his Masters. Although he looked to have a bright future the year he played practice rounds with Tiger Woods and Ben Crenshaw, Guan may have been a bit young to step into the world of pro golf. Since his Masters’ debut, he’s more recently played on the PGA Tour China but largely without distinction.
How will this year’s amateur champions fare as they step onto one of the game’s largest and most prestigious stages? We’ll know soon. For the moment, let’s get to know them a bit better.