Meet the Masters amateur’s of 2019, and their chances at the Low Am title
By Jordan Perez
6.) Kevin O’Connell and 5.) Jovan Rebula
It’s only fair to respect your elders, but O’Connell’s resume compared to the rest of his Masters amateur peers lacks for his age. Though the Mid-Amateur title is no less worthy of recognition, the 30-year-old has been building a comeback to the golf world since 2015. The U.S. Amateur Championship was a poor showing, where he missed the cut.
The former University of South Carolina golfer left the game after spending three post-collegiate years failing to muster up a Web.com or PGA Tour card. His four years spent at South Carolina earned him accolades such as ACC Freshman of the Year and a Third-Team All American honor. Can he find similar success against a field of professionals he hopes to one day join?
Meanwhile, South African Rebula, the current British Amateur Champion and nephew of fellow-esteemed South African Ernie Els, fares a slightly better chance. The Auburn University junior will play his second ever major after missing the cut at the 2018 Open Championship.
His recent professional outings don’t end there, with a missed cut at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and a top-30 finish at the South African Open. With previous major experience and familial ties, Rebula has some edge against his fellow amateurs who enter absent of such upside.