Ryan Fox walking Augusta National with his caddie Photo: AFP
A dream will come true for New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox this week as he plays his first Masters tournament.
Fox got his invite to Augusta National for being ranked in the world's top 50 at the end of 2022.
"I'm lucky enough to get to play, it's pretty cool and I can't wait," Fox told RNZ.
The 36 year old actually played a practice round a couple of week's ago and was impressed.
"It's one of those golf courses that you feel you know, it looks similar but it's very different to what you expect.
"It's a lot more open in places, there's a lot more up and down."
Fox of course grew up watching the Masters on tv and says it is as difficult as it looks.
"Definitely, it's pretty generous off the tee, but around the greens it's brutal.
"You've got to be very precise (around the greens), you can miss it in the wrong place a lot and really be in trouble.
"Sometimes a good put is getting it within 10 feet .
"It's a proper test of golf and you can get a good score around there if you play well, but if you're out of position it bites you very quickly.
The best result by a New Zealander at the first major of the year was Frank Nobilo's fourth place in 1996, while the last New Zealander to play there was Danny Lee in 2016 when he finished tied for 17th.
Fox is going into the tournament in good form.
He had his best season last year finishing second on the World Touring rankings.
Ryan Fox walking Augusta with his caddie Photo: AFP
He's played four events in the US in the lead-up to the Masters with three top 30 finishes, however he did miss the cut at last week's Texas Open.
The Masters which was established in 1934 by amateur champion Bobby Jones.
It's field is smaller than the other majors because it is an invitational event.
Since 1949 a green jacket has been awarded to the champion who then must return the next year to present a jacket to the next winner.
There is always a Champions Dinner, held on the Tuesday before the tournament, with the current champion deciding on the menu.
Fox likes the history that comes with the Masters.
"I think having it at the same course every year and that the course is built up so much with things like Amen Corner.
"There have been so many iconic shots there, so there's definitely a sense of history there."
Augusta National's 11th, 12th and 13th holes are called Amen Corner.
A debutante has not won the Masters since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 and Fox realises how important local knowledge will be.
"With the greens being as severe as they are, coming in from the right angles and knowing the slopes is a big, big thing and probably not something you get a lot on tour.
American Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion and if successful again in 2023 would become just the fourth player back-to-back winner at Augusta National following Jack Nicklaus (65-66), Nick Faldo (89-90) and Tiger Woods (01-02).
