Sports

Tech’s Andy Ogletree looks forward to Tiger Woods pairing in Masters opening round

By Zach Klein, WSB-TV

U.S. Open - Round Two MAMARONECK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Amateur Andy Ogletree of the United States plays his shot from the 11th tee during the second round of the 120th U.S. Open Championship on September 18, 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

By Zach Klein, WSB-TV

AUGUSTA, Ga. — It’s Masters Week at Augusta National, and there are so many firsts. The tournament was moved to the fall because of COVID-19 concerns, and there are no patrons or guests on the grounds

However, there is one golfer many Georgians will want to follow this week. Ever since he won the 2019 U.S. Amateur, Georgia Tech’s Andy Ogletree has dreamed of playing at the Masters.

While the tournament was originally scheduled for April, Ogletree told Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein he’s had no problem waiting seven months to tee it up at Augusta National.

Ogletree is one of six amateurs playing this week in the 2020 Masters. The tournament is all about tradition and Ogletree will get to experience one tradition no one else in the field will have.

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The reigning U.S. Amateur champion gets to play with the defending Masters champion in the opening round. That means Ogletree is paired up with Tiger Woods for the first round Thursday.

“He is kind of the reason that golf is considered cool. He’s the reason a lot of people watch golf," Ogletree said. "I don’t know how much we’ll talk or how much interaction we’ll have, but just to play is good enough to me.”

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This is the first Masters tournament of what Ogletree hopes to be many for him. The amateur said the key for him is staying focused.

“I think by Thursday I’ll get there. But it’s hard not to wonder or let your mind think about, you know, there’s so much history around this place,” he said. “All the stories you’ve heard and shots you’ve seen on TV, it’s hard to not think about some of that stuff. I just have to get into shot-by-shot and play a golf tournament on Thursday.”

Another great tradition has the Amateurs staying in the Crow’s Nest on property on top of the clubhouse.

Due to health protocols and social distancing, every amateur will spend one solo night in the Crow’s Nest. Ogletree’s turn will be Wednesday.

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