Just three years after Jordan Spieth stunned the golf world by finishing in a tie for second in his very first Masters appearance, another young player at Augusta for the first time is in contention to win a green jacket. 24-year-old Smylie Kaufman played his way into the final group with a 69 on Saturday (the low round of the day and the only score under 70), and he'll tee off at 2:45 p.m. ET just one shot behind Spieth.
If you're not familar with Kaufman, you're surely not alone. Kaufman, from Birmingham, Alabama, is only playing in his second major championship since becoming a pro in 2014. Kaufman played collegiately at LSU, where he was the No. 44 golfer in the country as a senior (he's now No. 49 in the world) . After graduating, Kaufman played on the Web.com Tour in 2015 and won the sixth event he entered, and after just a year had earned his PGA Tour card.
As a rookie, Kaufman booked his spot at Augusta by winning the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October, his second start as a full-time PGA Tour pro. He shot a 61 on the final day to jump from the middle of the field to the top of the leaderboard, edging Patton Kizzire by a single stroke.
Watch @SmylieKaufman10 make a hole-in-one on No. 8 in the Par 3 Contest. #themasters https://t.co/XjGzYBQJBX
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 6, 2016
Kaufman still lives with his parents, but his success in his rookie year could change that soon. He's 10th on the money list in 2016 with over $2 million in winnings, and if the remains in the top 5 at Augusta he'll be in line for a huge payday (the winner takes $1.8 million). Pretty good for a kid who not too long ago was playing in the drive, chip and putt competition.
@GolfChannel good luck to all drive chip and putt contestants. @SmylieKaufman10 @TheMasters pic.twitter.com/Buw4BTtDLt
— Jeff Kaufman (@Jeffinbama) April 3, 2016
Close to 20 friends & family members are here for @SmylieKaufman10 in 1st Masters. Smylie's Army wearing this logo. pic.twitter.com/HYG3NZpmje
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) April 10, 2016
