Before they became champions at Augusta, players like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson first made their mark as low amateurs. More recently, Sergio Garcia and Hideki Matsuyama have followed a similar trajectory, using early success at Augusta as a springboard to eventual victories.
That path, however, is far from guaranteed. In recent years, simply making the cut has proven to be a significant hurdle for amateurs, with multiple tournaments seeing none reach the weekend. It underscores just how difficult the transition is from amateur success to competing against the worldâs best on this stage.
Still, the 2026 Masters amateur class arrives with a compelling mix of youth, experience, and international talent.
Here is a closer look at the six amateur players who will be teeing it up at Augusta National.
A New Class Arrives in 2026
Leading the group is Ethan Fang, the highest-ranked amateur in the field at No. 8 in the world. The Oklahoma State standout enters Augusta on the back of a standout 2025 season that included a win at The Amateur Championship and major contributions in both the NCAA Championship and Walker Cup. Among this group, Fang looks the most prepared to contend â not just for low amateur, but to potentially challenge deeper into the weekend.
Close behind is Jackson Herrington, a 19-year-old from Tennessee who made his breakthrough with a runner-up finish at the U.S. Amateur. Heâs carried that momentum into 2026 with strong collegiate results and brings a unique element as the only left-handed amateur in the field. Augusta National has historically been kind to lefties, and that subtle edge could make him one to watch early.
Different Paths to Augusta
If Fang and Herrington represent the traditional pipeline of elite amateur golf, others in the field arrive with very different stories.
Brandon Holtz stands out immediately. At 39, heâs not just the oldest amateur in the field; heâs older by a wide margin. A former professional who stepped away from the game and built a career in real estate, Holtz earned his way to Augusta by winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur. His presence offers a rare contrast to the younger, college-based players around him.
Then thereâs Mason Howell, the youngest of the group at just 18. The U.S. Amateur champion arrives with significant momentum, including a dominant victory in that event and impressive showings against professional fields. His ability to post low numbers, highlighted by back-to-back 63s in U.S. Open qualifying, suggests he wonât be intimidated by the stage.
International Talent on Display
The amateur field also reflects the increasingly global nature of the game. Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand and Mateo Pulcini of Argentina each earned their spots through regional championships, bringing international storylines into the mix.
Laopakdee, ranked No. 25 in the world, secured his invitation in dramatic fashion at the Asia-Pacific Amateur, rallying late before winning in a playoff. He also arrives in strong form after helping Arizona State to a recent team victory. Notably, he becomes the first amateur from Thailand to compete at Augusta, adding a historic layer to his appearance.
Pulcini, meanwhile, took a steady path to this stage. The 25-year-old claimed the Latin America Amateur Championship earlier this year after already building a strong 2025 season with multiple wins. His journey, from Division II golf to finishing his collegiate career at Arkansas, speaks to persistence and development rather than rapid ascent.
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