How Ethan Fang took the amateur lead after 2026 Masters Round 1

As Ethan Fang walked from the putting green to the first tee, he couldn’t help but feel nervous. It’s the amateur’s first Masters Tournament. And with Thursday's dry and warm conditions, he knew the course would play tough.

Despite both the internal and external factors, Fang finished with a 2-over-par 74. The finish has him on the edge of the top 40 and leads the field of six amateurs in the first round. The 20-year-old birdied Nos.

3 and 9 while he bogeyed on 5, 7, 14 and 16. “I think I hit it really good off the tee,” Fang said. “I think that’s a big part of this golf course is driving it well and then hitting greens out there.

But, yeah, I would say that's probably the biggest thing that helped me keep it in contention. " Where the amateurs stand after Masters first round: Ethan Fang: +2 Jackson Herrington: +4 Mason Howell: +5 Fifa Laopakdee: +8 Brandon Holtz: +9 Mateo Pulcini: +9 This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Ethan Fang leads all amateurs after first round of 2026 Masters