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2021 Masters: How amateurs fared on Thursday

By DJ Cadden

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: Tyler Strafaci reacts to his shot from the 13th tee during the first round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2021 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: Tyler Strafaci reacts to his shot from the 13th tee during the first round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2021 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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In normal years, golf fans are used to seeing as many as six amateur golfers participate in The Masters. However, due to the cancellation of the U.S. Mid-Amateur, Asia-Pacific Amateur and Latin America Amateur in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, only three amateurs were granted the opportunity to participate in this year’s event.

Charles Osborne, a 21-year old junior at SMU, gained entrance into The Masters after finishing as the runner-up at the 2020 US Amateur. Of all three amateurs, Osborne put together the best opening round.

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Osborne got off to a shaky start, bogeying three of the first four holes on the course. Despite the rough start, Osborne quickly rebounded with four pars and a birdie to finish out the front nine at 2-over par.

Just like on the front, Osborne started the back nine out with back-to-back bogeys but quickly reeled it in. Osborne was quick to rebound again, with three more pars and another birdie over the span of the next four holes.

A bogey on 16 pushed Osborne back to 4-over par on the day, which is nothing to be ashamed of as an amateur.

Tyler Strafaci, the 2020 US Amateur champion, was the favorite to capture the title of low amateur this week.

Strafaci looked the part of a poised professional as he began his Masters campaign. With the exception of a bogey on hole No. 3, Strafaci parred seven of the first eight holes on the course.

Strafaci fell victim to Augusta National over the course of the next six holes, carding two bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey. Four straight pars to end the round was enough to keep Strafaci at 8-over par, just four back of Osborne.

Joe Long, the 23-year old Englishman, gained his Masters exemption after winning the 2020 British Amateur.

Long had the best start of any amateur on Thursday after coming out of the gates with four straight pars. Things would quickly go down hill for Long, however, as he recorded a triple bogey on No.5 and bogeyed the next five holes.

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Long cleaned things up a bit after hole No. 10 and shot 3-over through the next seven holes. To close out the day, Long recorded his sole birdie on the infamous 18th hole.

While Osborne has the clear advantage in the race for the low amateur title, Strafaci and Long are still within striking distance and could make things interesting over the course of the weekend.

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