Get to Know the Amateurs Set to Compete at the 2026 Masters
Amateurs will once again play a central role at Augusta National in April, and the early field for the 2026 Masters already includes six players who earned invitations through major amateur championships in 2025.
This group represents a cross section of the top amateur pathways, including the U.S. Amateur, the Amateur Championship, the NCAA Championship, the Asia Pacific Amateur, and the U.S. Mid Amateur.
Here is a look at the amateurs who have qualified so far.
Michael La Sasso
Ole Miss
Michael La Sasso secured his place at Augusta by winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa. The Ole Miss senior became the second national champion in program history and later gained experience on major championship stages, competing in the 2025 U.S. Open. He was also a member of the United States Walker Cup team in September.
Ethan Fang
Oklahoma State
Ethan Fang earned his Masters invitation by capturing The Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s in England. The Oklahoma State junior added his name to the list of British Amateur champions to receive an Augusta National exemption. Fang also competed in The Open Championship in 2025 and represented the United States at the Walker Cup.
Mason Howell
High School Senior
Mason Howell qualified as the 2025 U.S. Amateur champion after defeating Jackson Herrington in the final at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Howell entered the match play portion as the 63rd seed and completed a standout summer that included U.S. Open qualifying and medalist honors at the U.S. Junior. He later went 2 0 1 for Team USA at the Walker Cup at Cypress Point.
Jackson Herrington
Tennessee
Jackson Herrington earned his Masters invitation as the runner up at the 2025 U.S. Amateur. The Tennessee sophomore advanced through five match play rounds before falling to Howell in the championship match. Herrington follows a recent trend, as last year’s U.S. Amateur runner up Neal Shipley went on to earn low amateur honors at the Masters.
Brandon Holtz
Mid Amateur
Brandon Holtz qualified for his first Masters by winning the 2025 U.S. Mid Amateur at Troon Country Club in Arizona. Holtz closed out the final with a birdie on the 34th hole to defeat Jeg Coughlin III. His victory secured the traditional Mid Amateur exemption into the field at Augusta National.
Fifa Laopakdee
Arizona State
Fifa Laopakdee earned the most recent amateur invitation by winning the 2025 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship. The Arizona State junior staged a comeback from six shots back in the final round and sealed the title with birdies in regulation and in a playoff. His win locked in a spot at Augusta along with other major championship exemptions tied to the event.
More Spots Still Available
One additional amateur exemption will be awarded at the Latin America Amateur Championship in January, and Augusta National retains discretion to invite other amateurs it deems deserving. For now, the six qualifiers reflect the strongest amateur performances from 2025 across college, international, and USGA competition.
As always, the amateurs will bring a distinct storyline to Magnolia Lane when the 90th Masters gets underway next April.
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