2009 Masters Underdog Jack Newman
“A Tradition Unlike Any Other”
This week’s Moonlighter won an underdog tournament to become the biggest underdog in the biggest golf tournament in the US. Jack Newman won the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links tournament to earn a tee time at the Masters. Newman went to Hoover High School in Des Moines and got his start playing Waveland. After a very successful high school career, he went on to play golf in college at Michigan State University.
“You’re going to the Masters!” “Not yet!”
Jack Newman won the Iowa Class 4A state title as a senior and was named the 4A State Golfer of the Year in 2005. Newman was a 3x time second team All Big Ten golfer as a Spartan. He finished his career with several tournament wins and top ten finishes. His name is third on the all time Spartan strokes list. But it was the summer after his junior year that he played in his one and only PGA Major. After winning the U.S. Amateur Public Links tournament at the Harvester near his home town. That win earned him a spot at the 2009 Masters.
Newman received his invite to the tournament and that earned him access to Augusta National. He was able to play in Augusta the fall before the tournament and realized how big of a challenge he was in for. Newman played the course 15 times in preparation and felt ready for the underdog role.
The week started off well for Newman. He felt really good about his practice rounds and he almost won the par 3 tournament. That momentum continued for Newman and he played really well in his opening round and came in at an even par. His first tee shot was the most nervous he had ever been on the golf course. Though he shot just four-over in his second round, his momentum ran out and he missed the cut. Newman finished tied for 65th overall at 4 over par.
Jack Newman shares his stories from the links as well as giving his expert opinion on the special fall edition of the Masters.
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This week we are sending out dreams of spring and early tee times on the weekend. Tim sits down with Nate McCoy to talk all things golf and life after you start carrying your own bag. The former Cyclone and pro golfer shares his perspective on the game, his career, and his decision to make a career in golf without the clubs in his hands.