Tennessee Golfer Makes Masters Debut

19-year-old Jackson Herrington shoots 4-over 76 in opening round

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:51am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing and the iconic Augusta National Golf Course, rendered in a cubist style with vibrant greens, blues, and browns.A young golfer's debut at the prestigious Masters tournament is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, reflecting the sport's dynamic movement and the event's historic significance.Augusta Today

Tennessee sophomore golfer Jackson Herrington made his major tournament debut at the 2026 Masters, teeing off alongside 2009 champion Angel Cabrera and Sami Valimaki. Herrington shot a 4-over 76 in the opening round, recording four birdies and finishing tied for 56th place in the 91-player field.

Why it matters

Herrington's Masters debut marks an exciting milestone for the young golfer, who qualified for the prestigious tournament by finishing second in the 2025 US Amateur Championship. His performance will be closely watched as he looks to make a name for himself on the biggest stage in golf.

The details

The 19-year-old left-handed sophomore shot a 39 on the front nine and 37 on the back nine, posting the second-best score among the six amateurs competing this week. Herrington's opening-round score was better than several established PGA Tour pros, including Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, and 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm.

  • Herrington teed off on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • He will tee off again on Friday, April 11, 2026 at 11:27 a.m. EDT.

The players

Jackson Herrington

A 19-year-old sophomore golfer at the University of Tennessee, making his major tournament debut at the 2026 Masters.

Angel Cabrera

The 2009 Masters champion, who Herrington was paired with for the opening round.

Sami Valimaki

The Finnish golfer who Herrington was paired with for the opening round.

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What they’re saying

“Making my Masters debut is a dream come true. I'm excited to compete against the best players in the world and see how my game stacks up.”

— Jackson Herrington, Tennessee Sophomore Golfer

What’s next

Herrington will look to build on his opening-round performance as he tees off for the second round on Friday. If he makes the cut, he'll have the opportunity to compete over the weekend at Augusta National.

The takeaway

Herrington's impressive debut at the Masters, where he outperformed several seasoned PGA Tour pros, showcases the rising talent of this young Tennessee golfer. His performance will undoubtedly inspire other aspiring collegiate athletes to pursue their dreams of competing at the highest level of their sport.