The 2023 Masters saw Jon Rahm take home the green jacket, but it was Sam Bennett who captured the hearts of fans with his performance as an amateur. Bennett, who played in memory of his late father and sported a tattoo of his dad’s last written words, finished tied for 16th and showcased the allure of amateurs at Augusta National. A year later, the five amateurs set to compete in the 2024 Masters are inspired by Bennett’s success, knowing that a strong performance could lead to their own breakthrough.
Among the group of amateurs is Australian Jasper Stubbs, who won the Asia-Pacific Amateur last November. Stubbs acknowledges the impact of Bennett’s performance and believes that amateurs are increasingly ready to compete at the highest level. He sees the success of amateurs like Bennett and Nick Dunlap, the 2023 U.S. Amateur champion who won a PGA Tour event, as signs of the changing landscape of amateur golf.
Christo Lamprecht of South Africa and Stewart Hagestad, a three-time U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, are also part of the impressive group of amateurs at the 2024 Masters. Despite the historically low number of amateurs making the cut at Augusta National, recent years have seen an increase in amateur success at the tournament. Each amateur in this year’s field has a unique story and skill set that could lead to a standout performance at the Masters.
One of the amateurs to watch is Luis De La Fuente, the Latin America Amateur champion who narrowly missed out on an invite to the 2022 Masters. Known for his creativity on the course, De La Fuente has continued to hone his skills and is ready to take on the challenge of Augusta. Another standout is Nick Shipley, the U.S. Amateur runner-up who returned to Ohio State for his final season of college golf before making his Masters debut.
Hagestad, celebrating his 33rd birthday during Masters week, brings a wealth of experience to the event. The U.S. Mid-Amateur champion has had success both on and off the course, balancing his golf career with other pursuits. Meanwhile, Stubbs of Australia relies on his putting practice on fast greens to navigate the tricky slopes of Augusta National, showcasing the diverse strengths of the amateur field.
As the 2024 Masters kicks off, all eyes are on the group of talented amateurs who hope to follow in the footsteps of past success stories like Sam Bennett. With each player bringing their own style and strengths to the course, the potential for another breakout amateur star at Augusta National is high. Whether it’s De La Fuente’s creativity, Shipley’s determination, or Stubbs’ putting prowess, the amateurs are ready to make their mark on one of golf’s biggest stages and continue the tradition of amateur success at the Masters.
