For Masters first-timer Eddie Pepperell, Amen Corner is the stuff of dreams

Some people dream of playing Augusta National Golf Club. Others might have nightmares.

It seems that Eddie Pepperell had a little of both leading into his first Masters Tournament appearance.

The Englishman said Augusta National’s 13th hole, the short par-5 at the end of Amen Corner, has been on his mind of late.

“For some reason the 13th hole sticks in my mind, I don’t know why,” he said. “I’ve had a couple of very vivid dreams involving the 10th and 13th. When you’re dreaming nothing makes sense, so I went from 10 to 13. 10 was included on the driving range, and players were hitting down 10, and the hills were just incredible in my dream.”

It gets better.

“Then I had to climb a ladder to get to 13th tee,” Pepperell said. “I don’t think I was drinking that night, certainly not doing any hallucinogenics. Felt like I was. How crazy is that?”

Pepperell earned his first Masters invite thanks to a solid body of work in 2018. He sandwiched a pair of victories with a tie for sixth at the British Open at Carnoustie. The second win, at the British Masters, solidified his spot in the top 50 in the world ranking.

At Carnoustie, Pepperell posted his best finish in a major with a closing 67. But he made headlines for admitting that he was “a little hungover” after indulging too much the night before.

Pepperell, 28, is not your typical golfer. Setting goals like getting into the Masters is not a priority for him.

“At no one point was it on my mind last year. Nor was the top 50,” he said. “I’m pretty consumed week by week, how I’m swinging it in particular, and my emotions tend to roll off that. Then my golf rolls off that. Last year was my best year, by a stretch, and the reward is top 50 and Masters and (World Golf Championships).”

First-time Masters participants usually make a scouting trip or two to Augusta, but that’s not the case for Pepperell. He plans to fly in the Sunday night before Masters Week begins.

“Probably of all the events this year, in terms of expectations, that would probably be the least,” Pepperell said. “Just because of what it is and what it represents. I suppose it’s a bit of a historical moment in anyone’s career.

“If I’m swinging it quite well, if you’re playing really well, you can play any course. My caddie’s very experienced. I’m sure I’ll see enough the first three days to make an informed opinion on where I shouldn’t go on certain shots.”

He knows enough to recognize that Augusta National is a second shot course.

“Honestly, when I’m swinging it my best, my iron play is particularly strong,” Pepperell said. “I think it would be quite accurate Augusta suits very good iron players. I think there are some parts that could suit me, but there will be some tee shots that probably won’t suit me.”

Pepperell got into the Masters spirit at Bay Hill when he wore a pair of socks that depicted Jack Nicklaus’ famous birdie at the 17th hole at the 1986 Masters. His 68 was his best round of the year, he said.

Even if Pepperell is staying nonchalant about his first Masters visit, his family isn’t. His brother, Joe, and his father, Ron, surprised him at Heathrow Airport when he returned from a vacation. They brought his Masters invitation and filmed the moment.

“We opened it at the airport. I hate anything in public,” Pepperell said. “I don’t get that up anyway, even in private, but certainly in public I’m not inclined to show too much emotion. But my dad was obviously pretty giddy. It was good.”

Despite his dreams and no past history, Pepperell is looking forward to his first Masters.

“If I play well it will be great,” he said. “If I play bad it will be OK.”