Jackson Herrington didn’t get to stick around for the weekend action at the 2026 Masters, but the sophomore amateur still left Augusta National with a notable achievement and a reason to feel confident in his game moving forward.
Herrington tied with Oklahoma State’s Ethan Fang as the two amateurs with the lowest scores. Herrington posted back-to-back rounds of 76 to finish his tournament at 8-over-par, missing the cut line at 4-over-par.
As Herrington left Augusta, he made it clear that this would not be his last chapter at the Masters.
“I’m going to come back and win this tournament someday,” Herrington said.
In the opening round on Thursday, Herrington carded four birdies. He even found himself sitting at 1-under after a birdie on the par-3 fourth. However, the young amateur struggled with consistency, adding six bogeys and a double bogey to his scorecard. Herrington ended the first nine with a 3-over 39, but settled in on the second nine, shooting only 1-over.
Friday brought a steadier start. Herrington finished his first nine at even par after scoring back-to-back birdies at holes eight and nine. A bogey on hole 10 and a double bogey on hole 12 would push the amateur over the cut line as he would par the remaining holes.
Despite the result, Herrington’s performance was enough to have the best score of all the amateurs besides Fang, who also shot 8-over for his tournament. Although he didn’t get his moment in Butler Cabin, receiving the low amateur honors, it is still a significant accomplishment on one of golf’s biggest stages.
The Dickson, Tennessee, native had an experience that most golfers dream of, playing practice rounds with major champions like Bryson DeChambeau and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the biggest events in golf alongside the world’s best.
DeChambeau even praised Herrington earlier in the week, comparing his ball speed to that of elite professionals, a sign of the young amateur’s potential.
While Herrington was unable to make the cut and put on that coveted green jacket, his showing at Augusta National proved he belongs with the game’s rising talents.
