Michigan State University Athletics
Piot Relishes Experience at The Masters, Prepares for RBC Heritage
4/11/2022 1:23:00 PM | Men's Golf
East Lansing, Mich. – He didn't make the cut and didn't have the rounds that he would have hoped, but Michigan State men's golfer James Piot said his experience at The Masters was something that he will never forget.
Piot, who qualified for The Masters after winning last summer's U.S. Amateur, was paired with defending champion Hideki Matsuyama and major champion Justin Thomas during his first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
The All-Big Ten golfer finished at 11-over par 155 after the second round and failed to make the cut. He posted a 9-over par 81 Thursday's opening round, but bounced back with a 2-over par 74 in Friday's second round.
Piot's round on Thursday started with bogies on three of the first five holes before finishing with a 9-over par 81. While he was disappointed with his round, he said afterward that he knew more to play for the next day.
"It's a cool experience here at Augusta National, playing in a Masters," Piot said following the round. "I'm extremely bummed with how I played and it's gonna sting for a little bit, but it's the Masters, it doesn't get any cooler than this. I'm just going to soak in the experience."
He used that experience from Thursday to his advantage on Friday, turning in a 2-over par 74. As he made the turn, he was one of only 18 players in the field round under par, carding a 1-under par through nine holes. Piot's second round included four birdies on the front nine as the field played through tough, windy conditions.
"This was the experience of a lifetime and I can't thank the people at Augusta National enough and all of the fans for making this a week I will never forget," Piot said over the phone on Friday. "It was an honor to represent Michigan State at the cathedral of golf. I didn't play the way I hoped I would, but getting the chance to play in a group with Hideki and Justin was just incredible and such a learning experience for me.
"More than anything, I want to thank Dan Ellis for being on the bag with me this week. He was with me during the U.S. Amateur and he's someone I know and I trust and it was just fantastic to have him here. The support I've had from Casey (Lubahn), my family and my friends made this an experience unlike anything else. I'm a college kid who got to play The Masters and stay at Augusta National. It doesn't get much better than that."
Piot will continue to get the experience of playing in the PGA Tour this weekend at the RBC Heritage Classic at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina. Piot, who qualified for this event as a result of his win at the U.S. Amateur, will have his former MSU teammate Zach Rosendale, on his bag to caddy.
Piot, who qualified for The Masters after winning last summer's U.S. Amateur, was paired with defending champion Hideki Matsuyama and major champion Justin Thomas during his first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
The All-Big Ten golfer finished at 11-over par 155 after the second round and failed to make the cut. He posted a 9-over par 81 Thursday's opening round, but bounced back with a 2-over par 74 in Friday's second round.
Piot's round on Thursday started with bogies on three of the first five holes before finishing with a 9-over par 81. While he was disappointed with his round, he said afterward that he knew more to play for the next day.
"It's a cool experience here at Augusta National, playing in a Masters," Piot said following the round. "I'm extremely bummed with how I played and it's gonna sting for a little bit, but it's the Masters, it doesn't get any cooler than this. I'm just going to soak in the experience."
He used that experience from Thursday to his advantage on Friday, turning in a 2-over par 74. As he made the turn, he was one of only 18 players in the field round under par, carding a 1-under par through nine holes. Piot's second round included four birdies on the front nine as the field played through tough, windy conditions.
"This was the experience of a lifetime and I can't thank the people at Augusta National enough and all of the fans for making this a week I will never forget," Piot said over the phone on Friday. "It was an honor to represent Michigan State at the cathedral of golf. I didn't play the way I hoped I would, but getting the chance to play in a group with Hideki and Justin was just incredible and such a learning experience for me.
"More than anything, I want to thank Dan Ellis for being on the bag with me this week. He was with me during the U.S. Amateur and he's someone I know and I trust and it was just fantastic to have him here. The support I've had from Casey (Lubahn), my family and my friends made this an experience unlike anything else. I'm a college kid who got to play The Masters and stay at Augusta National. It doesn't get much better than that."
Piot will continue to get the experience of playing in the PGA Tour this weekend at the RBC Heritage Classic at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina. Piot, who qualified for this event as a result of his win at the U.S. Amateur, will have his former MSU teammate Zach Rosendale, on his bag to caddy.
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