MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 7, 2026

Jackson Herrington

Quick Quotes

Q. Jackson, the USGA gave you a steak after making a hole-in-one at the U.S. Amateur. Augusta gave you a steak at the amateur dinner last night, so naturally the question comes down to, how was your practice round with Bryson DeChambeau today?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: It was great. After the dinner last night, I would say it was a petite filet, so I went home and there was steak on the counter, so I had two more little small steaks and called it a night.

But I was fueled and rest and ready to go.

Yeah, it was awesome to get out there in that atmosphere with Bryson and pick his brain on the course. I am going to get back out there again with him tomorrow and kind of pick his brain on the back nine, so it will be good.

Q. So you got two practice rounds with DeChambeau; that's a pretty nice draw. This place is so special. Has a magnetism to it.

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Yeah.

Q. Everyone is drawn in. How is this different than your experiences coming on your practice trips?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: It's a lot different. I was looking at a tree on 8 that I never paid attention to because the crowd wasn't there. Yeah, being able to be around those big crowds with those big guys is a little bit different. They sneak in there a little bit.

Yeah, just trying to stay within myself and telling myself I belong. I would say I was a little bit nervous on first tee today. After that, just kept telling myself I belong and they're just no better than I am. I just got to prove that. Felt pretty good out there.

Q. Not many Masters competitors have a former Masters competitor on the bag for them. You have Coach Ernst with you. What are you picking up from him that you may not pick up from another caddie, like a club caddie?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: I just think he knows my game really well, knows how I am, he knows what to tell me, how to keep me calm. Yeah, I think that's a big part of it.

But he also knows the golf course. Being able to go around and have him by my side has been a huge help. Scott Stallings is also here. Played a couple times. I get some advice off the course from them and it's been really special.

Q. What's the relationship with Bryson? How you did you set that practice round up? Got a few more holes tomorrow, too.

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Yeah, on the range on Saturday he came up to me and said some kind words and said congrats on being here. Then I saw him on Sunday walking out -- saw him in the locker room in the morning, said hello, and then saw him walking out of the gym on the way out.

Told him I appreciated the kind words and asked him if it would be all right if I joined him for a practice round. He told me Tuesday or Wednesday. I texted him yesterday to just see what time to come out. Worked out pretty well.

And then I asked him over there if it would be all right if I went out with him again tomorrow and he said sure, so it's perfect.

Q. I'm sure not many times you probably had practice round nerves. What was that like when you mentioned on the first tee being a little bit nervous?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Yeah, it was pretty nice. Yesterday joining Fleetwood was the first time I've been around that magnitude of a crowd. They were pretty loud on 6. Yeah, I kind of settled in a little later yesterday when I was with him. Today being out there with that crowd yesterday kind of helped me settle down a little bit.

But, yeah, I think just telling myself that I belong here and I'm just as good. So that helps me calm down a little bit.

Q. What was the highlight of amateur dinner, whatever you're willing to share?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: The speech with Chairman Ridley giving us advice and congratulating us on being there and talking with all the members. It was pretty special. Definitely a night I'll remember forever.

Q. What has surprised you thus far as far as the accessibility of the players and how welcoming they've been, the membership? It's one thing to qualify; it's another to be in the arena and get the full experience. What's surprised you thus far?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Everybody here is so welcoming. Every time I came on a practice trip they made me feel at home. Whatever I needed they got me. Yeah, just think all the members and everybody, the staff and everybody here has made me feel so welcomed and at home. It's been truly special.

Not only just to play in something I've always dreamed, but for them to be so nice and welcoming, it's been awesome.

Q. What's your guilty pleasure so far, something that you've realized, I need to do this because this week is going to come and go pretty quickly? Whether it's in player services, just things you're able to access that other people in the world can't this week.

JACKSON HERRINGTON: I don't know. I think it's more so just being able to talk to the best players in the world. You know, talked to Rory a little bit on Saturday. He's definitely exceeded my expectations of how nice he was.

Same with Bryson and Tommy. Everyone has been super nice to me. I think that's something that if I didn't go up to him I would definitely be kicking myself.

Q. So you're okay having a couple fanboy moments this week?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Yeah, I'm not like, oh, my God can I get your autograph. Just, hey, good to meet you. Good luck this week. Like Bryson, just thanked him for the kind words. It's been really awesome.

Q. On the record can you explain your nickname, where you got it, how it's grown? You haven't grown; you're turning into a mini fridge.

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Yeah, so Bruce Lewis two years ago, he -- was it three? I think three years ago now. He was eating I think told me French toast sticks or something out in Puerto Rico or Cabo. He said you got to keep these away from the Fridge.

Then we were at on amateur tournament and they kept calling me that for three holes. I looked at them and said, what are you guys talking about? Like who is that? They told me it was me and it kind of stuck.

I'm kind of taking it away a little bit. I still hit it just as far so it's all right.

Q. How many people are here supporting you this week? Can you even give a list?

JACKSON HERRINGTON: A lot. I didn't even know -- there is two people back there I see that I didn't even know were coming. I've got a nice crew with me this week. Got a couple houses just to limit the distractions so I don't go to sleep at midnight. It's been pretty awesome having those people out there cheering me on.

Q. Thank for your time.

JACKSON HERRINGTON: Yes, sir.