3 Masters Rookies Aim to Win Green Jacket on First Try

Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup, and Jacob Bridgeman hope to become the first first-time Masters winner since 1979.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Three young stars, Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup, and Jacob Bridgeman, are among the top contenders to win the Masters in their debut appearance at Augusta National. The last player to accomplish this feat was Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, and no one has done it since then in nearly 50 years. Experts cite the steep learning curve of the course, nerves, and the advantage of experience as reasons why first-time competitors have struggled to win the prestigious green jacket.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of golf's most iconic and challenging tournaments, and the ability to win it on a player's first try would be an extraordinary accomplishment. This story highlights the rising stars of the sport and the difficulty of conquering Augusta National, which has resisted first-time winners for decades.

The details

Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup, and Jacob Bridgeman are all making their Masters debuts in 2026 after breakout seasons on the PGA Tour. Griffin waited years to qualify for the tournament, while Gotterup and Bridgeman have already won multiple events this season. Experts cite the course's complexity, the pressure of the event, and the advantage of experience as reasons why first-time competitors have struggled to win the Masters, with only Fuzzy Zoeller accomplishing the feat in 1979.

  • The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament will take place in April 2026.
  • Fuzzy Zoeller was the last player to win the Masters in his debut in 1979.

The players

Ben Griffin

A 28-year-old American golfer who turned professional in 2018 and is making his Masters debut in 2026 after winning three times on the PGA Tour in 2025.

Chris Gotterup

A 24-year-old American golfer who is ranked 10th in the world and has won twice on the PGA Tour this season, including the Sony Open in Hawaii and the WM Phoenix Open.

Jacob Bridgeman

A 23-year-old American golfer who is ranked 17th in the world and won the Genesis Invitational in February 2026, defeating Rory McIlroy.

Fuzzy Zoeller

The last player to win the Masters in his debut, accomplishing the feat in 1979. Zoeller passed away on Thanksgiving Day in 2025.

Jack Nicklaus

The six-time Masters champion who provided a witty response when asked why a first-time winner hasn't emerged since Zoeller, saying 'Because he hasn't shot the lowest score!'

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What they’re saying

“I want to be a winner in my first appearance. I think that would be cool.”

— Ben Griffin

“It's a very easy place to get overwhelmed.”

— Trevor Immelman, CBS Analyst, 2008 Masters Champion

“Guys get to know the golf course but at some point, someone will do it.”

— Danny Willett, 2016 Masters Champion

“It's tough to match the knowledge and the comfort of being a tournament veteran over four rounds, but I do think that'll fall soon.”

— Rickie Fowler

“You never say never.”

— Fuzzy Zoeller, 1979 Masters Champion

What’s next

The 2026 Masters Tournament will take place in April, where Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup, and Jacob Bridgeman will all be making their debuts at Augusta National with the goal of becoming the first first-time winner since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

The takeaway

The difficulty of winning the Masters on one's first try has been a long-standing challenge in golf, with only one player, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, accomplishing the feat in nearly 50 years. The steep learning curve of Augusta National, the immense pressure of the event, and the advantage of experience are all factors that have prevented more first-time winners from emerging. However, the rise of young stars like Griffin, Gotterup, and Bridgeman has reignited hope that the drought could soon be broken.