Peyton Manning Helps Tennessee Golfer's Family Attend The Masters

The former Vols quarterback provided extra event passes to ease the ticketing stress for Jackson Herrington's family.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:20pm

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When the family of Tennessee golfer Jackson Herrington, who is competing in the Masters tournament this week, faced challenges obtaining tickets, former Vols quarterback Peyton Manning stepped in to help. Manning, a member at Augusta National, provided the Herrington family with additional event passes to ease their ticketing stress and allow them to attend every day of the prestigious golf tournament.

Why it matters

Herrington's participation in the Masters as a current Tennessee student-athlete is a point of pride for the university and its athletic program. Manning's gesture to support the Herrington family demonstrates the strong community and alumni network that exists for Vol fans, showcasing how Vols help Vols in times of need.

The details

Jackson Herrington, a 19-year-old Tennessee sophomore, earned his spot in the 89th Masters tournament last summer when he finished runner-up at the 2025 US Amateur. With the high demand for Masters tickets, even for family members, the Herrington family was overwhelmed with requests from outside people. That's when Peyton Manning, a member at Augusta National, stepped in to provide the family with additional event passes to ensure they could attend every day of the tournament.

  • Herrington earned his Masters spot last summer at the 2025 US Amateur.
  • The 89th Masters tournament is taking place this weekend in Augusta, Georgia.

The players

Jackson Herrington

A 19-year-old sophomore golfer at the University of Tennessee who earned a spot in the 2026 Masters tournament.

Peyton Manning

A Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and former University of Tennessee football player who is a member at Augusta National Golf Club.

Nikki Herrington

The mother of Tennessee golfer Jackson Herrington.

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What they’re saying

“'I'm hearing from people we don't even know. Some people were thinking we weren't coming every day. My son is playing the Masters. We are coming every day.'”

— Nikki Herrington, Mother of Tennessee golfer Jackson Herrington

“'Peyton Manning overnighted us some. Peyton has been so great. All of the Vol community has been so, so supportive.'”

— Nikki Herrington, Mother of Tennessee golfer Jackson Herrington

“'Being able to be around the big crowds with those big guys is a little bit different. You know, they sneak in there a little bit. But, yeah, just trying to stay within myself and tell myself I belong. I'd say I was a little bit nervous on the first tee today, but after that I just kept telling myself I belong and they're no better than I am. I've just got to prove that.'”

— Jackson Herrington

What’s next

Herrington will officially begin his Masters journey on Thursday morning at 8:14 a.m. ET, playing alongside 2009 Masters Champion Angel Cabrera and Sami Valimaki.

The takeaway

Peyton Manning's gesture to provide the Herrington family with extra event passes for the Masters demonstrates the strong sense of community and support that exists within the University of Tennessee athletic program. This act of generosity from a Vols legend highlights how the Vol network comes together to support its own, even in the face of high-pressure situations like attending one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.