Amateur Golfer Plays Alongside Masters Legends

Real estate agent Brandon Holtz competes at Augusta National after winning U.S. Mid-Amateur

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing and motion on the tee box, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of green, tan, and blue, conveying the raw energy and movement of the sport.An amateur golfer's unlikely path to the Masters highlights the tournament's embrace of underdogs and human-interest stories.Scottsdale Today

Brandon Holtz, a 39-year-old real estate agent from Bloomington, Illinois, earned an invite to the 2026 Masters Tournament by winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur last September. Despite being ranked 3,267th among amateurs, Holtz played alongside two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, though he ultimately missed the cut at 15 over par.

Why it matters

The U.S. Mid-Amateur's recent inclusion in the Masters invitation list has provided a path for lesser-known amateur golfers to compete at the prestigious Augusta National course, adding an underdog element to the storied tournament.

The details

Holtz, who had never played in a USGA-sanctioned event before, won his local qualifier in Illinois by shooting a 63 at Crestwicke County Club. He then traveled to Arizona and won the four-day U.S. Mid-Amateur competition, which includes both stroke and match play. Holtz's quarterfinal match went 19 holes before he won the final match 3&2 to earn his Masters invitation.

  • Holtz won the U.S. Mid-Amateur in September 2025.
  • Holtz played in the 2026 Masters Tournament in April.

The players

Brandon Holtz

A 39-year-old real estate agent from Bloomington, Illinois, who earned his first-ever USGA event win at the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur to qualify for the 2026 Masters Tournament.

Bubba Watson

A two-time Masters champion who was paired with Holtz during the 2026 tournament.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm pretty sure I could see my heart beating through my chest on the first tee.”

— Brandon Holtz, Amateur Golfer

What’s next

Holtz will also compete in the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills after winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

The takeaway

The inclusion of the U.S. Mid-Amateur champion in the Masters field has provided an unlikely path for lesser-known amateur golfers to reach the sport's most prestigious tournament, adding an underdog element and human-interest story to the event.