MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 9, 2026

Ethan Fang

Quick Quotes

Q. Ethan, just want to take you back to earlier in the week where you made the decision to play the Augusta Haskins Invitational probably thinking it would help kind of conserve a little bit of energy. Just curious how that plan has paid off for you, and if your energy levels are good coming into this morning?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, I was a little tired yesterday. Been playing a lot of golf. Played Meridoe, and then had a day off and played the Haskins, and now we're here. When you get to play a course like this, I mean, it's hard not to be -- it's hard not to have energy. You know, it's a treat. I get to play the Masters, so yeah, we're good.

Q. What are some of the things that you felt like you learned over the last three days that helped you find as much success as this course could allow on an opening round at the Masters?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah. Yeah, this course is really tricky. These greens are -- they're glass. I had so many chip shots today that you barely get it on the green and it rolls all the way to the hole. I think it's all about missing in the right spot, just giving yourself a good chance if you miss the green to get it close, and maybe make par and bogey.

The biggest thing is just avoid doubles, and there's plenty of birdie chances out there, but yeah.

Q. You had one of the later tee times, and there is no shortage of scoreboards out there for you to look at. Did you get a sense that this golf course is going to be playing pretty tough today just by looking at some of the scores that were getting up on those boards?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, for sure. I was playing some really good golf on the front nine, and I shot even. I was, like, it's got to be playing pretty tough today. These greens are firming up really quick. You could just see how quick they are just walking on them. Yeah, it's definitely playing tough.

Q. That opening tee shot, nothing in a practice round can prepare you for that. What were those first few moments like walking from the putting green to the first tee?

ETHAN FANG: It's really nerve-wracking. Thankfully I played The Open last year and it was raining, blowing 20 right to left. It was my first pro start ever. I think I hit it into the tall grass, and I was pretty happy.

Doing that definitely eased the tension a little bit, but I was definitely nervous out there.

Q. Herrington said he's going to go fishing this afternoon to clear his head. Do you have any plans to clear your head this evening?

ETHAN FANG: That actually doesn't sound too bad. Might go join him or go hang out with family. I have my parents here, and my girlfriend is here. Just hang out and have some fun.

Q. In terms of the amateurs, you have the best mark so far. What do you make of that?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, it's only the first day. I try not to think of it like that. Just going to go out there tomorrow and try to play my best.

Q. Today what do you think went well for you today?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, I think I hit it really good off the tee. I think that's a big part of this golf course is driving it well and then hitting greens out there.

But, yeah, I would say that's probably the biggest thing that helped me keep it in contention.

Q. In terms of the difficulty on some of these holes here on the course, do you think there's anything in particular that really stands out where you have to dial it in mentally?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, I thought 15 played really hard today with that pin being on the left. You know, you lay up, you almost have no err. Water is short, long, and you got a tough chip.

Honestly all the holes you got to stay mentally sharp. If you let loose, next thing you know you got a 25, 30-footer down the hill and could roll all the way off the green.

Q. A lot of people when it's their first time at the Masters they usually have a welcome-to-the-Masters moment, something that let's them know that, hey, it's a different level right here. What was your welcome to the Masters moment?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, I would say probably the first hole. I hit it 15 feet behind it, and I thought I tapped it, and it rolled by 6, 7 feet. From then on I knew it's definitely going to be a test for the putter. The greens are so quick out there.