© Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network
Michael McDermott is the 2025 marker at The Masters in Augusta. The 50-year-old amateur got his opportunity to play in Saturday’s round alongside Tom Kim.
He played well enough to impress Kim, who commented on his partner after the fact. The PGA Tour star called McDermott an “absolute baller.”
McDermott is the CEO for a financial services firm in Pennsylvania. He’s also a member at Augusta National. When there’s an odd number of players to make the cut at The Masters, one player is assigned a partner appointed by the club. McDermott was that man this year.
Interestingly enough, it’s not the first time he’s played in the event. He was also the marker in the 2023 edition after Kevin Na dropped out of the event. He was paired with Mike Weir in that instance.
Michael McDermott sneaking in a drive for Weir, according to the graphics team. pic.twitter.com/lJHZLrRfGl
— Outside The Cut (@OutsideTheCut) April 7, 2023
Michael McDermott is no schlub. He owns 10 major victories in the Golf Association of Philadelphia. He’s a member of the St. Joe’s University athletics Hall of Fame. His USGA handicap is a +3.
While playing alongside Weir in ’23, he showed off his incredible driving ability, launching the ball 300 yards from the tee box on numerous occasions. That seemed to continue with Kim.
“He played great actually. Hits the ball really far. His irons, sometimes he grabbed one club longer than me. He was a complete baller.”
-Tom Kim
Kim insists that McDermott would’ve shot in the 70s had his score been recorded. Unfortunately, we’ll never truly know. The marker at The Masters plays incognito. His name is not on the back of the caddie’s uniform. His score is not tallied. He is not allowed to speak to the media after wrapping up his round.
Despite playing under the radar, Michael McDermott made an impact on both Tom Kim and a never-ending list of golf fans who wish they could take his place. We’ll see if he makes any more headlines on Sunday.