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A full-time real estate agent just finished playing in the 90th Masters Tournament.
Brandon Holtz, a 39-year-old father from Bloomington, Illinois, arrived at Augusta National this week in a “super unlikely” way.
Holtz earned his invitation to the Masters by winning the US Mid-Amateur last September at Troon Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Winners of the event began being invited to Augusta in 2018.
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Brandon Holtz plays his shot on the second fairway during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 10, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Image Images)
According to the United States Golf Association’s Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) system, Holtz is certainly no slouch, playing with a handicap of +4.1, which is better than scratch. To qualify for the tournament, one must obtain a handicap of 2.4 or better and be at least 25 years old when the championship begins, so Holtz was surely better than most on the links.
However, the Mid-Am was actually his first USGA-sanctioned event, he told The Athletic.
“I’m 1 for 1,” he said.
That is why he is ranked 3,267 in the amateur ranking, because he barely gets points.
Brandon Holtz plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 9, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Image Images)
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU NOT SATISFIED WITH 3D PRINTED CLUB QUESTION AFTER CONTINUED DAY AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL
Holtz won his local qualifier in Illinois by shooting a 63 at the Crestwicke County Club on August 11. He then traveled to Arizona the following month and participated in the four-day competition that included bumps and matches. Their quarterfinal match actually required 19 holes to finish.
Holtz then won the final match, 3 and 2, to be invited to both the Masters and this year’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Holtz’s father won lifetime badges for the Masters in 2004, so he was at least somewhat familiar with the course. But playing with that was a different story.
“I’m pretty sure I could see my heart beating in my chest on the first tee,” Holtz, who was paired with two-time winner Bubba Watson, told The Athletic.
Holtz’s father caddied for his two rounds, but he missed the cut in 15 more.
Brandon Holtz talks with his caddy, Jeff Holtz, during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 6, 2026. (Michael Madrid/Image Images)
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But you’ll probably have a nice story and a pretty good excuse when you sell houses again.
