Debutants at The Masters should be closely watched

Known as one of the most prestigious golf competitions in the world and perhaps the most famous, The Masters is also one of the most challenging for even the most experienced golfers to navigate successfully.

However, it appears that these days, even debutants that compete at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club are no longer phased by the challenge that is posed to them, especially as recent history would perhaps suggest.

Sam Burns books his place as a Masters debutant

Indeed, this is news that Sam Burns would perhaps be rather pleased to learn and read about, especially as he looks to take his first trip down Magnolia Lane as a competitor and compete for a green jacket. The PGA Tour No. 11 will be playing in his first Masters as he managed to successfully win the 2022 Valspar Championship, which saw him book his place in the Major whilst also becoming the second golfer to win at least three PGA Tour wins before making his debut in Georgia: Collin Morikawa was the other.

It has been a while since a debutant has managed to win at Augusta, which has been covered in this Thai news website, with Fuzzy Zoeller doing so when he beat Tom Watson and Ed Sneed in a playoff back in 1979 after each of them shot -8. Zoeller managed to seal the win in the playoff after birdieing the 11th hole after it began on the 10th.

History suggests debutants can do well in The Masters

However, there have been players who have taken to the iconic course and have managed to tame the beast in a way that many of the most experienced golfers would have been proud to do if it were them on the greens.

Will Zalatoris was a debutant in last year’s edition of The Masters and finished just one shot off of winner Hideki Matsuyama, whilst there have been seven individuals including the young American who have managed to finish second in the competition since 1945.

There have been five golfers that have managed to do it in the last 10 years, though, with Jason Day, Jonas Blixt, Jordan Spieth, Sungjae Im, and Zalatoris having all proven that a rookie can have a huge amount of success when they tee off, thus perhaps highlighting just how much they want it. 

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan celebrates winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 11, 2021.

However, it could also be that they are fearless of a course that they have never experienced before, therefore perhaps being willing to take bigger risks and reap the rewards if they pay off. Of course, this can also have a negative impact, especially as Augusta National Golf Club is rather unforgiving to those who do make mistakes.

Why is Burns fancied as a contender?

This year’s Masters competition will see a total of 16 debutants take to the field, although many believe that Sam Burns has what it takes to be the one to make a real difference and perhaps do what Zalatoris was unable to achieve in last year’s edition of the event.

Many believe Burns has the physical skills required to win a major championship, despite the fact that his history in the biggest events is a little patchy. His best is a T29 position in the 2019 PGA Championship, however he does appear to have come into some form recently, which could help him in his conquest.

Of course, he has also recently picked up a trait that many professional golfers would love to be able to have: winning. Let’s not forget, he is ranked No. 11 in the world at the moment, therefore there is a lot to be excited about.

Whether he will be the first debutant to win The Masters in 40 years, though, remains to be seen but for many, he has the best chance of all of them.