Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

The 2026 Masters is here! Nothing better than firing up the stream and catching some of the early action before the broadcast starts. Hopefully you work in a golf-friendly environment - otherwise, good luck hiding your 4 different tabs showing the Featured Groups, Amen Corner, and whatever other feeds the powers at Augusta National dreamed up for this year.

Short one this week as we give you 3 Carolinas storylines to track during this week’s tournament. If you missed our Q&A last week with Charlotte’s David Strawn, who competed in the 1974 Masters, check it out here. Also, if you’re looking for somewhere to watch golf this afternoon, the First Tee - Greater Charlotte Young Professionals are hosting a Happy Hour at Selwyn Pub from 4-6 PM today. RSVP here.

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

The Deacs have long been known for punching above their weight on the professional tours, and that is no different this year as we enter the season’s first major. Cameron Young comes in fresh off a career-defining win at the Players Championship in March and will be playing with defending champion Rory McIlroy for rounds 1 and 2. He’s among the pre-tournament favorites, so it will be interesting to see how he fairs in a high-profile pairing.

24-year-old Michael Brennan will be making his Masters debut this week courtesy of his win at the Bank of Utah Championship back in October. Brennan, a multiple All-American at Wake, has made waves with his ball speed early in his career and will be one of the longest players in the field this week.

It’s difficult to discuss Wake Forest golf and the Masters without mentioning the name Will Zalatoris. After finishing top 10 in his first 3 Masters appearances, Zalatoris will miss out on the 2026 edition due to ongoing injury problems. It’s a shame to see him unable to compete after his early performances, as he seemed destined to one day don a green jacket.

Ben Griffin and Ryan Gerard, both Triangle natives and former UNC standouts, are set to make their first Masters appearances this week and enter the event ranked inside the top 30 in the OWGR.

Griffin was one of the PGA TOUR stories of 2025, winning twice and competing on the Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black. We’ve yet to see his truly contend at a major, but he should have chances this year now being exempt for all 4 tournaments.

Gerard has been flying more under the radar for many golf fans, but a win at the 2025 Barracuda Championship and a series of other strong finishes have him ranked 29th in the world ahead of his Masters debut. You may not have tapped him for your Masters pool, but don’t be surprised if you see him hanging around this weekend.

Jacob Bridgeman and Akshay Bhatia have been 2 of the hottest players in the world so far this year and enter the Masters as names you could absolutely see in the mix.

Bridgeman, a former Clemson golfer and native of Inman, South Carolina, may have snuck up on some people with his win at the Genesis Invitational earlier this year, but he’s finished inside the top 20 in his last 8 PGA TOUR starts and has staked a claim for the title of “Best Putter in the World.” His game has no holes, but like others on this list, he’s fighting an uphill battle against Masters history, which has not been kind to first-time participants.

Bhatia’s slow-and-steady rise up the world rankings has continued in 2026, culminating with his recent victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 24-year-old’s well-rounded play and improved putting have onlookers wondering if he can be the next great lefty to prevail at Augusta National. Bhatia, who grew up in the Raleigh area, is playing in his 3rd Masters, having made the cut in his previous 2 starts.

QUICK LINKS

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free below for news and perspectives on golf in Charlotte and across the Carolinas.

New to 2DP? Check out the full newsletter archive on our website.

Want to partner with or sponsor 2DP? Reach out.

Do you have recommendations for future newsletter content? Send them our way.