‘You drove the green!’: Masters’ newest folk hero makes long-awaited Augusta debut

AUGUSTA, Ga. — “You want to know a great story about him?” goes the man in the green jacket. 

Yes, of course we do. We all want to know more about this man, the new marking player used in case of emergency at the Masters.

“He was playing 11 from the member’s tees and the caddies go up on the hole while you hit. His caddie comes running back up the hill,” the Augusta National member said, mimicking the high, pumping knees of a caddie in a jumpsuit. “He’s got putter in hand and he goes, ‘Mr. McDermott, I wanted you to take the longest walk with a putter in Augusta National history. You drove the green!’” 

Ladies and gentlemen, the new marker is long. His name is Michael McDermott and he can play from the big-boy tees, too, proving it Friday morning when he outdrove Mike Weir, Masters competitor, by about 40 yards on the 1st hole. 

On Friday, two full years after the beloved marker of yesteryear, Jeff Knox, surrendered the role, McDermott finally felt the tap on his shoulder for a debut walk around Augusta National during the Masters. His score doesn’t matter at all. He’s just a phantom player, invisible to the television cameras, stuck in place to fill time and offer camaraderie when a contestant withdraws or an odd number of players make the weekend cut.

If you wanted to see what this phantom player looked like, you could query some AI chatbot for its interpretation of “Augusta National marker.” McDermott looks like what it would spit out. He’s the CEO of a wealth management firm in Wayne, Pa., and stands about 6-foot-4. His hair is dark and his face is shaved clean. He’s got broad shoulders and a bit of a Matt Kuchar stature. He also has a bit of a Matt Kuchar swing. It’s very rotational. 

He’s got Callaway Apex irons in the bag and Augusta National Everything Else, like he was dressed in the pro shop. ANGC hat, ANGC belt, ANGC polo, ANGC glove, ANGC bag, ANGC 3-woodhead cover, ANGC bag tag. Drive, Chip and Putt umbrella. 

McDermott may have been anxious to get this side career started but it still arrived at least a day earlier than expected. Kevin Na couldn’t stomach his way past the ninth hole Thursday, leaving Weir playing as a single. McDermott stepped in on Friday and was introduced on the tee by two important words: our marker. McDermott was hand-picked by the committee at Augusta National. He figures to keep the job for the next decade or so, so long as he keeps up his form as a plus-1.8 handicap. He is one of the most decorated amateurs in one of America’s golfiest cities, playing his Philadelphia golf at Pine Valley, Merion and Philly Cricket Club.

McDermott’s parents followed along closely outside the ropes, as well as two of his three sons. Everyone was smiling. His mom could be heard explaining the excitement on Thursday when Na withdrew: “This is the year! This is the year!” Twelve months ago, McDermott watched on as Adam Scott made a ridiculous par on 18 to even the cut at 52 participants. It’s never up to him. 

When he finally reached that ball in the fairway, maybe 310 yards from the tee, McDermott tossed a smooth one pin-high left. A green in regulation and good vibes all around. But when his first putt came up four feet short and his second putt slid by, he did what you never see during tournament rounds of Masters week: he quickly snatched the ball up off the ground. No holing out necessary. He’s just a placeholder and a pace-setter. (Weir three-putted, too.)

McDermott’s debut was a joyous one for most everyone following. He got his typical ANGC looper to carry the clubs. A number of members showed sweaty support, wearing their heavy green jackets in the humid, mid-80s air. He scooped another short putt for a bogey on No. 2 and finally saw his ball hit the bottom of a cup for par on No. 3. He earned a smattering of applause and once again immediately got out of the way. That’s the simple playbook here. Smile, play, enjoy yourself. Keep it on the straight and narrow and keep yourself from becoming the story. Like markers who played before him, McDermott will not be talking to the media. I asked his father, Neil, how special the day would be for his son.

“He won’t talk, and I won’t because I’m in the family,” Neil said with a kind smile. He knows the rules. “Any questions can go to the Chairman.” 

Okay, how about his two sons then? “Is Dad nervous?” I asked. Yeah, they both nodded, before admitting they were hopeful for more rounds on the weekend. They headed off on their own, trying to get a better view as Dad sized up a par putt. Nearby, one of McDermott’s friends, Charlie Wardell, watched along. “I was texting him last night,’ Wardell said. “He’s got his two kids down here but he was a bit worried because hadn’t planned on needing childcare on Friday.”

Augusta National happens to be a fantastic daycare facility.