Sam Stevens Shines in Masters Debut, Marks Wichita’s Return to Augusta After 53 Years
Sam Stevens, a 29-year-old Wichita native and 2014 Kapaun Mt. Carmel graduate, opened his Masters debut with an even-par 72. He carded five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Augusta National.
Stevens finished tied for 17th after the first round. He sat five shots behind co-leaders Sam Burns and defending champion Rory McIlroy.
Local milestone
Stevens became the first true Wichita product to play the Masters since Grier Jones in 1973. The appearance ended a 53-year gap for Wichita at Augusta.
Sam Stevens shined in his Masters debut and marked Wichita’s return to Augusta after 53 years. His start carried clear hometown significance.
Round highlights
Stevens started aggressively and was 2-under through six holes. He gave himself birdie chances on each of those opening six holes.
On the par-5 second, he hit an 81-yard wedge to inside nine feet and made the putt for birdie. At No. 5, a 21-yard chip-in from just off the green produced another birdie.
The round turned at the par-4 seventh. After a long drive, his 124-yard approach ran off the back of the green and a three-putt produced a double bogey.
Stevens hit just six of 14 fairways during the round. Poor tee shots forced several recoveries through the middle portion of the course.
At No. 9 he found pine straw and had to punch out, but he saved par with an eight-foot putt. Wayward drives on Nos. 10 and 11 left him scrambling, and a missed short putt at 11 left him 2-over through 11 holes.
Amen Corner brought a shift. He made birdie at the par-3 12th with a 16-foot putt. His 17-foot birdie try at 13 lipped out, but momentum had swung his way.
On No. 16, Stevens rolled in a 44-foot birdie putt to return to even par. A bogey at 17 followed after a long miss, but he finished strong.
Stevens crushed his drive on 18 and followed with a 169-yard approach that left six feet. He converted the closing birdie to end at even par.
Stats and standing
The card featured five birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey. His five birdies were tied for the fourth-most in the field at the time he checked in.
Stevens sits comfortably on the right side of the projected cut line after Day 1. He also remained five shots behind the leaders.
What’s next
Stevens will tee off early Friday in the first group at 6:40 a.m. He will play alongside Sungjae Im.
The performance suggested he has the game and poise to extend his stay at Augusta. Filmogaz.com will follow his progress through the weekend.
