‘He’s a baller!’ PGA Tour star spills on what it’s like playing with the Masters marker
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He’s got the best job in golf, but what’s it like to play with the Masters marker? Tom Kim tells TG’s Rob Jerram all about it…
An odd number of players made the cut at The Masters which meant Augusta member Michael McDermott got his moment in the sun, playing alongside three-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim in the first group on moving day. And Kim was impressed.
As an amateur, the idea of playing Augusta National excites and terrifies me in equal measure. The idea of playing Augusta National in front of thousands of fans at The Masters has me hiding under my desk.
But Michael McDermott isn’t me. He’s an elite amateur player and, more importantly, the Masters marker. If ever a pro is going to be playing solo, the marker is called upon to complete the pairing. And that’s what happened on Saturday. 53 players had made the cut on Friday night, so McDermott got the call to complete moving day’s opening pairing alongside Tom Kim.
The pair were greeted by a huge crowd as they walked onto the 1st tee for their 9.50am tee time and there were plenty of nerves… for Kim.
“I was so shocked when I got to the first tee,” the South Korean said. “There were so many people, it almost felt like I was in the final group on Sunday. So many people. I felt more nervous today than I did yesterday. Even on Thursday.”
McDermott, meanwhile, acknowledged the crowd and casually striped his ball down the middle like he was playing in a Sunday rollup.
“He’s a complete baller,” Kim told TG. “He played great. Hits the ball really far. His irons – sometimes he grabbed one club longer than me.
“It was really cool. I’ve never really played with a marker before. It’s the first time to experience it. He was so great. You know, for him to come out and play with a guy who is going to play solo, made it a lot more fun.”
Kim shot a level-par 72 after pitching in for birdie on the 18th, allowing McDermott to pick up his ball. But what would the marker have shot had he completed ever hole?
“He picked up a lot, but I think if he really concentrated and wasn’t focusing on trying to get out of my way, because he was being so nice and trying to get me focus on what I was doing, I still think he would’ve shot in the 70s. It was really impressive,” Kim added.
Meanwhile, Kim, who has been criticized for his pace of play in the past, enjoyed the freedom of having an open course in front of him, the twoball completing their round in the Georgia sun in just over four hours.
“I’m not going to lie to you, it took six hours to play yesterday,” the Presidents Cup star said. “We waited on every hole. It was so nice to just go out there and play. The rhythm was really good. Like yesterday could not get longer. Dream scenario today. Literally so phenomenal. Playing Augusta National, crowds were so nice. First group out and I’m sure they were clapping for Michael, not me, but for them applauding, it was great.”
For McDermott, he’ll get the pleasure all over again tomorrow when he heads out with whoever props up the field tonight.
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Tom Kim played with Masters marker Michael McDermott during the third round.
