AUGUSTA, Ga. — First-time individuals virtually by no means win the Masters.

Then once more, they not often present up with a resume like Chris Gotterup’s.

The 26-year-old Gotterup already has 4 PGA Tour wins, which means he’ll be the third participant since World Warfare II to make his Masters debut with that many. He is already received twice this yr and joins Ben Griffin and Jacob Bridgeman because the highest-ranked first-timers this week. All three are on the planet prime 20.

“Simply embracing the entire expertise,” Gotterup stated. “Attempting to take all of it in and luxuriate in it whereas additionally attempting to go on the market and compete and provides it the whole lot I’ve obtained.”

Not since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 has a Masters rookie received the event, and earlier than that no one had received his debut since Gene Sarazen within the second yr of the occasion. However favorites like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy haven’t been all that dominant currently, and Gotterup stands out along with his wins within the Sony Open and Phoenix Open earlier this yr.

He additionally received the Scottish Open final yr. The rapid reward for that victory was a visit to Royal Portrush for Gotterup’s first British Open, nevertheless it additionally certified him for the Masters.

Gotterup lastly visited Augusta Nationwide greater than a month in the past. He says he did not need to come to the Masters beforehand as a result of watching — as an alternative of enjoying — can be tough to deal with. And it is not as if he was being bombarded with alternatives to check out the course on his personal time.

“I don’t assume I’ve really ever declined an invitation. I don’t know if I’ve been invited. So you’ll be able to’t flip down nothing,” stated Gotterup, whose first PGA Tour win was at an opposite-field occasion in 2024. “I’ve gotten supplied to come back watch the event from sponsors or from whoever it could be, and I stated I can’t go over there till I play. Or else if I’m retired, then I can go over.”

Bridgeman, who received at Riviera in February in his first try there, got here to Augusta as an autograph-seeking 10-year-old in 2010. He obtained the prospect to play the course when he was a freshman at Clemson, which is about 100 miles away.

“We had a pair members that hosted and we have been in a position to carry down a bunch of 9 of us, so I performed with a roommate of mine and we had a blast.” Bridgeman stated. “I bear in mind teeing it up on (No.) 1 and there was not a soul round and I used to be tremendous nervous. Slightly bit extra comfy this time. I don’t know what it’s. I’m type of in event mode.”

Griffin got here to the course in November and once more final week. After all, he did not must see Augusta Nationwide up shut to grasp its historical past.

“Tons of reminiscences, all the enduring pictures which have been hit. The one which involves thoughts first is Tiger Woods’ chip on 16 with the dramatic Nike image,” he stated. “I really feel like each gap there’s like a shot that’s been hit by somebody that I’ve both heard of or seen on tv that I type of bear in mind.”

Griffin performed the again 9 Monday. Gotterup performed the entrance with veteran Justin Rose. Bridgeman’s group included 18-year-old Mason Howell, final yr’s U.S. Newbie champion. Howell is a College of Georgia commit who figures to have loads of help this week.

Howell is holding expectations manageable and says his purpose is to play 4 good rounds. Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champ who completed tied for twentieth in his first look, recommends that method for any younger newcomer.

“There’s only a few that’s received it the primary time,” Watson stated. “However expertise can take over and anyone can win as a result of they’re ok to get right here, they’re ok to win. Simply get pleasure from it. You need your first one to be, simply get pleasure from it, take all of it in, attempt to study some issues and prepare for the subsequent time you come round right here.”

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf