Three Masters Rookies Compete to Make History at Augusta
At Augusta National, Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan are drawing attention.
They sit near the top of the leaderboard after Friday’s play.
Reitan carded a 68 to reach 4-under for the tournament.
Griffin and Gotterup each shot 69 and sit at 3-under.
Rookie storyline
These three are among 22 Masters rookies in a 91-player field.
They chase a rare feat: no first-timers have won since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
Filmogaz.com is tracking Three Masters Rookies Compete to Make History at Augusta as the weekend approaches.
The group is well positioned with 36 holes left to play.
Ben Griffin
Griffin delivered a bogey-free round on Friday.
He is a three-time winner from last season and sits at world No. 16.
His round included a long birdie putt at No. 3 and a chip-in opportunity on the par-5 eighth.
He found another birdie at No. 13 and celebrated a strong par save at 14.
Chris Gotterup
Gotterup mixed six birdies with three bogeys during his round.
He is a four-time Tour winner and ranked 11th in the world.
He has won twice this year on tour.
Asked about Augusta, he said the course itself does not faze him.
Kristoffer Reitan
Reitan, 28, is a PGA Tour rookie after two DP World Tour wins this season.
He surged on the back nine with four straight birdies starting at No. 12.
He briefly climbed to 5-under before a closing bogey dropped him to 4-under.
A March scouting trip to the venue, suggested by Viktor Hovland, helped calm his nerves.
Outlook for the weekend
The trio lurks in a crowded leaderboard as the cut approaches.
Each player stressed that much golf remains to be played this week.
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