For the first time in Clemson history, one current athlete and one alumnus represented the Tigers in the Masters tournament at the same time. Sophomore Doc Redman and current PGA tour golfer Kyle Stanley have both donned the orange and purple at one time or another, but this was a truly special weekend for more reasons than just that.
It was Redman’s first appearance at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. He earned his berth by narrowly winning the U.S. Amateur tournament at the Riviera in August of 2017.
In the U.S. Amateur tournament, he played from behind most of the day, but rallied at the 18th hole to force a playoff. His competition, Doug Ghim, drove his first shot into the bushes and the rest was history.
Redman was grouped with reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia and PGA Tour champion Justin Thomas on the first day. A chance to learn from some of the best, he got a first-hand look at how the pros approach such a lucrative round in Augusta. At least, it certainly looked like it would be a good grouping.
Garcia had one of the most defeating rounds in Masters history after shooting a 13 on hole 15. He hit five consecutive balls into the water and drove his score all the way up to plus-10. At the time of writing, Justin Thomas is at minus five after three rounds. Redman, unfortunately, did not fare nearly as well he would have liked.
Two putts inside of ten feet would have given Redman a plus-two instead of plus-four score at the end of round one and may have helped him make the cut after round two.
“I think I threw away a good round, which was frustrating,” Redman said. “I’ll come out [Friday] and try to build on some good stuff and shoot a good score.”
Sadly, he did not improve his score and was cut after round two. Redman and Chris Patton in the 1990 tournament are the only two Clemson amateurs to have made the first cut of the Masters.
The sophomore’s best hole came early in round one at hole three. On a par four, Redman hit a 107-yard approach shot behind the flag and had it roll back to within five feet of the hole. It was his first birdie of the day, but not his last.
He would also birdie on 13, the last hole that is part of the famous “Amen Corner” which is one of the trickiest three-hole stretches in golf.
Kyle Stanley fared a little bit better than his collegiate counterpart. He finished round three at plus-five getting tripped up at holes seven, 11 and 17. He double-bogeyed 17 after having bogeyed it the day before.
This is not Stanley’s first visit to Augusta as he appeared here in 2012, but did not make the first cut.
Stanley’s Clemson career was illustrious as he set 18 individual scoring records, a few of which Redman has since broken, as well as played on the American Walker Cup team. He won the Ben Hogan award for the best collegiate golfer in 2009.
Since turning pro in 2009, Stanley has won two PGA Tour tournaments and played in 12 different instances of the Grand Slam tournaments including the US Open, British Open, Masters and PGA Championship.
While he was in school, Stanley struggled with getting to the greens. His putting was some of the best in the business, but he didn’t always put himself in the best position with his first two shots.
“I’ve really improved my ball-striking and driving,” Stanley said. “My driving statistics are much better.”
Stanley’s driving has been his key to keeping up with the pack in the Masters. He has birdied on hole eight, which was a par 5, two rounds in a row because he has struck the ball so well off the tee. Redman will certainly get another chance to try his hand again at the Masters, but for now he had to watch Stanley take his turn.
Both Tigers have represented themselves and Clemson University this past weekend and deserve some praise for their performances.
