Doug Ghim finishes as low Masters amateur

Doug Ghim has shown a flair for the dramatic throughout his first appearance at Augusta National Golf Club, and that trend continued Sunday for the University of Texas senior, who took home the Silver Cup as the low amateur at the 82nd Masters Tournament.

Ghim holed out from the left front bunker for birdie on No. 18, closing out an unforgettable week for the 21-year-old who qualified as the runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Amateur. He shot 74 on Sunday and finished the week at 8-over par, in a tie for 50th.

Ghim had eagles on Nos. 13 and 18 on Thursday. His eagle on the final hole from 178 yards was just the sixth at No. 18 in Masters history. He added another eagle on No. 13 in Saturday’s round and entered the final round leading the field with three eagles in the tournament.

“I can’t believe it,” said Ghim, who plans to turn professional after playing the U.S. Open as an amateur in June. “Every single day I’ve been out here I’ve been feeling a little bit better about my game and controlling the nerves and being able to perform the way I want to.”

On the final hole, Ghim had a solid drive and a 5-iron approach that he pulled into the left bunker fronting the green. Ghim watched and heard the gallery react as playing partner Tyrrell Hatton chipped in for birdie, before he settled into the sand for the final shot of his first Masters.

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“I had a good lie which I felt like I could spin it, and it came off pretty well,” Ghim said. “It was on a good line and I was like, just please, give it a chance, and it went in. I heard it hit the pin and I heard the crowd just go nuts again, and it was pretty cool to give them a show and end the week on a positive note.”

Ghim took just four putts on the 18th  during the tournament. His father, Jeff, was on the bag for Ghim this week and said that the eagle with a 6-iron on No. 18 on Thursday was the most memorable moment of an incredible stretch.

“He doesn’t want to putt on No. 18,” Jeff Ghim, a South Korean immigrant, said with a laugh. “He hates that. This week has been emotional. He loves me, and I love him.”

Jeff Ghim will loop for his son during the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, before Doug hires a full-time caddie.

Doug Ghim has talked all week about how his first Masters appearance has meant so much to him, largely because he was able to share it with his father and his mother, Susan.

In the  Par-3 Contest, Ghim let his father hit the tee shot on the final hole. He told his dad to hit a wedge, but his father went with a 9-iron and knocked it over the green. Doug played it onto the green and his mom took the putt.

Ghim was looking forward to the award ceremony in Butler Cabin on Sunday evening, where he would receive the Silver Cup and watch the champion receive his green jacket.

“It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be emotional, of course,” Ghim said. “The whole week has been emotional … it’s just being mindful and understanding that it’s as special of a week for my family as it is for me. I understand how important it is to them to be able to celebrate with them this week. And tonight is going to be something that I’ll never forget.”