By Lohan Sutton
From the fairways of Dickson, Tenn., to the most famous first tee in golf. Jackson Herrington is living the dream.
The explosive University of Tennessee sophomore is set to become the first Vol to compete at the Masters Tournament since 2014, and he is arriving with serious momentum.
Herrington’s semi-final match at the 125th U.S. Amateur was pure theater. Down two through two, the lefty battled back to even the score, all square heading into the 18th hole. After a perfect approach shot, Herrington drained the birdie putt to punch his ticket to the Masters.
Following the heart-pounding runner-up finish at the U.S. Amateur, which was highlighted by that critical birdie putt in the semi-finals, he punched his ticket in the championship match.
That electric performance earned him an automatic invitation to the 2026 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open.
“Certainly, one of my biggest thrills as a coach was to watch him make that putt in the semifinals and qualify for the Masters,” said Brennan Webb, Tennessee head golf coach.
This marked the third time a Volunteer had reached the finals match. Joining Eric Rebmann from 1987 and Oliver Gross from 2013.
From Dickson to Rocky Top
Herrington is a true Tennessee product. Growing up in Dickson, just west of Nashville, he dominated the junior circuit. As a high school standout, he captured the 2022 TSSAA Class AA Boys’ Golf Championship at 6-under-par, added a runner-up finish at the Bubba Conlee Junior Golf Tournament, and Dustin Johnson World Junior.
His exceptional junior career catapulted him to No. 66 nationally and No. 3 ranked in Tennessee for the class of 2023.
In 2024, Herrington became the youngest player ever to win the Tennessee State Open and just the second amateur to do so in the last decade. That same year, he swept Tennessee Men’s Player of the Year and Boys’ Junior Player of the Year honors, a rare double that had only happened once before in state history.
At the University of Tennessee, Herrington has already posted seven top-25 finishes in his time with the Volunteers. Along with a tie for fifth at the Visit Knoxville Collegiate and a tie for sixth at the Cabo Collegiate this season.
Built for Augusta
Augusta National is a beast with lightning-fast greens, punishing contours, and zero margin for error. However, Herrington’s time in Orange has him ready.
“We play a high level of amateur golf, and he’s playing against the best amateurs in the world every week when he’s here,” said Webb. “Jackson has been putting in extra work controlling distances and spin with his short irons.”
At just 19 years old, Herrington is the second-youngest player in the field, only behind Mason Howell and well below the field’s average age of 32.
“The bigger the stage, the better Jackson’s going to play. His mom always tells me that we need to figure out a way to flip the switch on. And I don’t think he’ll have a problem flipping the switch on when we get to the Masters,” said Webb.
The Magic of Being an Amateur at Augusta
This week is not just about 72 holes. For the amateurs, the Masters delivers a once-in-a-lifetime tradition that legends still talk about.
On Monday night, they gathered for the exclusive Amateur Dinner hosted by Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley. It is a formal celebration of the spirit of the game.
The clubhouse also houses the Crow’s Nest, a small 40-by-30-foot room perched on the top floor reserved for amateurs competing. This cozy loft overlooks the first fairway and has hosted legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson.
On the course, the six amateurs will battle for the Silver Cup, awarded to the low amateur who makes the cut and finishes all 72 holes. Past winners include Ben Crenshaw, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and, most recently, Neal Shipley in 2024.
No amateur has ever won the Masters in tournament history, but a T16 finish by Sam Bennett in 2023 is the best finish of an amateur in the past decade.
Heading to the Tee
Herrington tees off in Group 4 on Thursday at 8:14 a.m. EST and Group 19 on Friday at 11:27 a.m. EST.
His opening hole? The demanding 445-yard par 4 named Tea Olive, one of the toughest starting holes in golf.
The amateur has had big moments in his career so far, but none compares to the experience of stepping onto the tee of the first hole at the world’s most famous golf course.
Throughout his time as a coach at Tennessee, Webb has developed excellent golfers. From professional LIV golfer Caleb Surratt to multiple players at various levels of the PGA Circuit – his advice for the first tee? Nothing complicated.
“Just that the best version of the fridge is good enough,” said Webb.
Herrington has gained the nickname ‘fridge’ from his teammates and coaches.
Herrington also has a familiar face on the bag this week. Tennessee assistant head coach and former PGA Tour player Derek Ernst will be navigating the young Volunteer this week.
Whether Herrington contends for low amateur or just soaks in that legendary walk up the 18th fairway, he is already a winner living the dream.