Masters 2026: After opening 76, amateur Jackson Herrington is going fishing
Amateur Jackson Herrington thought he could outwork his nerves before the 2026 Masters Tournament. Then he got to the first tee Thursday.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jackson Herrington thought he’d be able to tame his nerves. The 19-year-old amateur played five practice rounds at Augusta National before Masters Week.
He then had two nine-hole warm-up acts alongside Bryson DeChambeau. LEADERBOARD: 2026 Masters scores, tee times, videos “I want to play in front of the biggest crowds possible early in the week,” he said on Monday. “Hopefully that will prepare me for (the first round).
” LIVE: Masters 2026 leaderboard: Live updates, round 1 scores, predictions Herrington, nicknamed “The Fridge,” learned at 8:14 a. m. Thursday that pre-tournament simulations won’t eliminate the jitters of your first Masters.
“I wasn't terribly nervous until I heard my name called on the first tee,” the University of Tennessee sophomore said. “Then I was like, ‘Oh, this is actually happening. ’” Herrington started strong, bettering par by one after four holes.