He’s a few days off turning professional but Australian young gun Bryden Macpherson admitted to making ‘amateur’ mistakes in his debut round at the Masters.
Macpherson, a 21-year-old from Victoria, posted a five-over 77, leaving him tied 83rd in the 95-man field.
Having some experience on Augusta National due to attending the nearby University of Georgia for the last two years, Macpherson was hopeful of not just making the cut, but contending for the title.
But reality set in for the winner of the 2011 British Amateur with a nervous bogey on the first and although he bounced back with birdie on the second hole he bogeyed the next three.
Further bogeys at nine, 11 and 13 were only tempered by a birdie at 15 although a nice 5m par save on the last brought a fist pump.
“The reason why I didn’t score as well today was because I had a couple of nervy putts and a couple of nervy short game situations,” Macpherson said.
“I hit a lot of really good shots. I’m an amateur playing in a major, and it’s my second major ever and majors are designed to test every single aspect of your game.
“That’s why major winners are so impressive.
“I hit a lot of really good shots but I made a few what I would call amateur mistakes.”
Macpherson was paired with two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw.
“Mr Crenshaw, he’s an awesome guy and he was great to me all day,” Macpherson said.
“He kept patting me on the back. He was great. He was really supportive, and it was great playing with him.”
Crenshaw was complimentary about his young playing partner.
“He just has a beautiful swing and god is he strong,” Crenshaw said.
“I just tried to calm him down and I wanted to make him feel welcome and I hope I did because we had fun.
“I think he did himself and others proud. He’s a very nice young man.”
With just the top 44 and ties making the cut, plus those within 10 shots of the lead, MacPherson needed to go low on Friday to make the weekend.
He also has work to do to win the Silver Cup, awarded to the low amateur. Macpherson’s 77 only beat Randal Lewis (81).
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, last year’s low amateur, led the way after a 71. Americans Patrick Cantlay (72), Kelly Kraft (74) and Corbin Mills (74) also sit ahead of the Victorian.
