Santa Clara University Alum Matt McCarty Impresses at The Masters
Matt McCarty hits from the bunker on the second hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
This weekend was privy to the most prestigious and anticipated golf tournament of the year—The Masters. The beautiful Augusta National Golf Club deep in the southern woods of Augusta, Georgia calls the tournament home, attracting visitors far and wide for the deemed once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend. Yet, very few spectators, and even fewer players, get the opportunity to spend the weekend on the esteemed course grounds. Former Santa Clara Broncos men’s golf member Matt McCarty ’21 was one of them.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native, a three-time all-West Coast Conference selection, starred for the Broncos from 2016 to 2021. McCarty was named the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, posting three wins in six weeks and nine top-10 finishes on the season. He made his PGA Tour debut back in 2022 when he qualified for the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. McCarty’s recent success—including his first win at the Black Desert Championship in October—earned him a rookie card on the PGA Tour and an automatic qualification to play in the 89th iteration of The Masters.
McCarty finished Thursday’s opening round with a 1-under 71, a good start for his first appearance in the prestigious tournament. A double-bogey and bogey on back-to-back holes on Friday, however, put him in a 3-over hole to start the second round. McCarty fought back, knocking in three straight pars before going on a tear with four consecutive birdies on holes 6-9. He would go on to sink four more birdies on the back nine, carding a 4-under score of 68 on the day. McCarty’s impressive eight birdies sent him to the Clubhouse tied for third on the leaderboard with a combined score of 5-under par, securing his spot inside the cut line and extending his tournament campaign into the weekend. McCarty would end the day tied for fifth place after other players’ scores rolled in.
“I hit the ball a lot better than the first two holes; made some putts. I don’t know, just stuck with the game plan. I didn’t let myself get too rattled,” McCarty said to Sports Illustrated on Friday. “Just stayed focused and didn’t think about what happened earlier and kind of moved on.”
McCarty finished Saturday with a 3-over 75, his least impressive score of the tournament. The difficulty of the course was evident all around, as many golfers struggled with the wind and pin placements on the tournament’s third day. He bounced back on Sunday, posting another 1-under 71 to finish the tournament at minus-three overall and tied for 14th place on the leaderboard. Winner Rory McIlroy, who became just the sixth golfer to ever complete the career Grand Slam, finished minus-11 after fending off Justin Rose in a tense playoff.
While he won’t be going home with the coveted green jacket, McCarty had an exceptional weekend for a 27-year-old in his 16th start on the PGA Tour. The former Bronco—and now the number 52 golfer in the world—impressed the golf world this weekend and created some valuable momentum heading into the summer season.
