Newman
A historic week for MSU golfer Jack Newman ended Friday after he fell three strokes short of making the cut at the Masters in Augusta, Ga.
Newman, a junior on the MSU men’s golf team, shot a four-over-par 76 in his second round, leaving him four over par through two rounds. The cut was one over par.
Newman was the first MSU golfer to compete in the famed tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club. He earned an invite by winning the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links tournament in July.
Paired with former Masters winner Fred Couples and nine-time PGA Tour winner Rocco Mediate for the first two rounds, Newman was one of five amateurs competing in the field of 96 players. He finished second best among amateurs, one stroke behind British amateur Reinier Saxton.
Newman’s 148 was the best score among U.S. amateurs since 2005.
The Des Moines, Iowa, native struggled through the front nine Thursday but shot a 33 on the back — good for the third best back nine score of the day. He finished with birdies on four of the last five holes.
Newman finished Thursday with a two-stroke lead over all amateurs, and his even-par 72 put him in a tie for 39th overall.
Friday’s round began with three pars before he bogeyed three of the next four holes to move to three strokes over par. Newman birdied the 16th hole for the second time in two days, but it would not be enough to extend his play through the weekend. He could not be reached for comment Sunday.
After finishing his round Friday, Newman was offered an invitation to play a PGA tournament in July — the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., — which he accepted.
Newman has won three collegiate events in his career at MSU. He is fourth in MSU history with a career 74.1 average.
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