Amateurs excited to be competing in Masters

As Takumi Kanaya sat on the far end of the table in the interview room, he was trying to find a way to respond in English to how he felt driving down Magnolia Lane for the first time.

After taking his time, he said, “It was good. I’m happy to be here.” A few seconds passed and he looked at his translator and they began chatting in Japanese to help get a deeper answer.

Photos: Masters Monday Practice Round

The translator then responded to the question: “I’m so happy to come here. I’m so excited. It was definitely a dream come true since I was a little kid to be able to be here, and I’m just happy to be here.”

Kanaya is one of six amateurs competing in their first Masters and they will be treated like royalty for the next week. Another amateur Alvaro Ortiz - who joined Kanaya at the press podium - said all six would have their amateurs dinner Monday and they would most likely be staying in the Crow’s Nest for at least Monday night. Kanaya said he definitely would be staying there.

Kanaya is also one of four Japanese players competing this year and is the only amateur. He is ranked No. 7 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings heading into Masters Week.

“Of course, this is my first major,” Kanaya said through a translator. “It’s a dream I’ve had since I was little to play in the Masters, so I’m just excited to be here.”

As happy as Kanaya is that he’s finally able to play at Augusta, he had to wait about six months since his Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship win.

Kanaya said he’s never been to Augusta National before Friday. When he took the course, he was joined by Japan’s top player Hideki Matsuyama and that was an experience he was very pleased to have.

“I have played two days with Hideki here, and he’s taught me many things,” Kanaya said. “You know, don’t hit it here, or hit it here and there will be a slope that will bring the ball back here. So he’s taught me a lot about the golf course.”

Kanaya added that his family will be in town to support him this week.

Like Kanaya, Ortiz was ready to get to Augusta National. He was happy to share the drive down Magnolia Lane with his dad in what he referred to as a “special moment.”

Ortiz finally punched his Masters ticket with a win in the Latin America Amateur Championship after a couple runner-up finishes. Since that win, he’s been to the course five times ahead of Masters Week.

“The first two times I came here it was with my dad and the first time I was just trying to enjoy it, trying to soak everything in and I was kind of spectating, pretty much, looking at every hole, looking at the trees, asking about the maintenance of the course and the members and everything,” Ortiz said.

Both players played in Monday’s practice round and weather permitting, have two more before their first tournament round Thursday.

“In my mind, I’m out here to compete, really, and I want the green jacket. That’s why I’m here. I think every player is thinking like that, at least,” Ortiz said. “Of course, winning the low amateur would be nice. Making the cut would be a really good finish, too. But I mean, if you give me a top‑10 right now, I’ll sign it for sure because I’m coming back next year.”