Realtor and Golf Amateur Brandon Holtz Making the Most of Masters Moments

39-year-old realtor from Illinois qualifies for his first Masters tournament as an amateur

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the motion and energy of a golfer's swing, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in shades of red, white, and blue representing the colors of the Illinois State University Redbirds.An amateur golfer's unexpected journey to the Masters Tournament showcases the accessibility and diversity of the sport.Augusta Today

Brandon Holtz, a 39-year-old realtor from Bloomington, Illinois, is making his first appearance at the Masters tournament this week as an amateur qualifier. Holtz, who typically spends his Saturdays either hosting open houses or playing in a 12-man scramble with friends, has been to the Masters 15 times before but this is his first time competing inside the ropes. Despite being the 'old fat guy' in the field, Holtz is soaking in the experience, playing practice rounds with top pros like Bubba Watson, Tommy Fleetwood, and Jordan Spieth, and trying to 'shut the brain off' and just enjoy the moment.

Why it matters

Holtz's presence at the Masters as an amateur represents the dream of many casual golfers to one day compete at the highest level of the sport. His story highlights the accessibility of the game and the opportunities available, even for those who don't have a traditional path to professional golf. Holtz's experience also provides a unique perspective on the Masters tournament, showcasing the event's ability to inspire and captivate both seasoned pros and passionate amateurs alike.

The details

Holtz qualified for the Masters through the U.S. Mid-Amateur tournament last September. Despite not having a particularly strong golf game, Holtz has been a regular at the Masters for years, thanks to his father's lifetime badges awarded in 2004. Holtz played college basketball at Illinois State University and briefly turned professional in golf after college, but quickly realized the financial realities of that path. This week, Holtz is enjoying the opportunity to play alongside some of the game's biggest stars, including two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2015 champion Jordan Spieth, from whom he says he's learned a lot.

  • Holtz qualified for the Masters through the U.S. Mid-Amateur tournament in September 2025.
  • Holtz is playing in the 2026 Masters tournament, which is taking place this week in Augusta, Georgia.

The players

Brandon Holtz

A 39-year-old realtor from Bloomington, Illinois who is making his first appearance at the Masters tournament as an amateur qualifier.

Jeff Holtz

Brandon Holtz's father, who is serving as his caddie this week at the Masters.

Bubba Watson

A two-time Masters champion who Holtz is paired with for the first round of the tournament.

Jordan Spieth

The 2015 Masters champion, who Holtz played a practice round with on Wednesday.

Tommy Fleetwood

A top professional golfer that Holtz also played a practice round with earlier this week.

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What they’re saying

“I'm the old fat guy out here. It's been great.”

— Brandon Holtz, Amateur Golfer

“I've met a lot of guys, talked to them, just trying to understand their story a little bit. Played with Tommy Fleetwood (Tuesday), played with Jordan Spieth (Wednesday). Talk about two icons of the sport. Just learned some things from them. At points in time I was just sitting back and watching them play.”

— Brandon Holtz, Amateur Golfer

“Only got half a day left, but sometimes you just got to get out there and play. Shut the brain off and tee it up and hit it and go find it and hit it again.”

— Brandon Holtz, Amateur Golfer

“I wish I had my camera. I see all those people taking photographs and I'm wanting to take a shot or two myself. (Spieth is) a great guy. Just got a lot of information off him. We just talked, talked as people talk. Learned a little bit about his family and he was asking about mine. So it was just really, really fun to play with him.”

— Brandon Holtz, Amateur Golfer

What’s next

Holtz will tee off at 9:02 a.m. on Thursday for the first round of the 2026 Masters tournament. He will be paired with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.

The takeaway

Brandon Holtz's presence at the Masters as an amateur golfer represents the dream of many casual players to compete at the highest level of the sport. His story highlights the accessibility of golf and the opportunities available, even for those without a traditional path to professional golf. Holtz's experience also showcases the Masters' ability to inspire and captivate both seasoned pros and passionate amateurs alike.