Augusta National member Jeff Knox again serves as Masters marker

Augusta National Golf Club's mystery man was walking the fairways again Saturday, drawing the usual puzzled looks from most fans whenever he plays on the weekend.

Since 2003, Augusta amateur Jeff Knox, who is an Augusta National member, has served as a noncompeting marker in the Masters Tournament.

Knox doesn’t play every year – only when there is an odd number of players in the field after the cut – though this is the sixth consecutive year that has happened. His job is to keep score for the Masters participant, who is either last or tied for last place after 36 holes, and provide company for him.

This year 57 players made the cut, so Knox went off in the first group with Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion who was in last place. In the whipping wind, Watson shot 76 on Saturday while Knox didn’t break 80, according to friends who followed the twosome.

There is mystery surrounding Knox when he serves as a marker because only the most devout Masters fans – and Augusta residents – know who he is. His name is not listed on the pairing sheet, which simply says “marker.” His name is not on the back of his caddie’s jumpsuit, and his score is not on the leaderboards.

Knox is chosen by the club to play with the pros because he is the club’s best player. He holds the members’ scoring record with 61, shot in a non-tournament round in 2003.

“He’s the luckiest guy in the world today,” said San Francisco’s Derek Benbow, who was attending his fourth Masters and had never heard of him until Knox came through No. 13, where Benbow was sitting.

“It’s a great gig for him,” said Steve Sullivan, of St. Louis, who was attending his 14th Masters and knew of Knox’s role as the marker.

Tony Webber, of Merced, Calif., was attending the Masters for the first time Saturday and had never heard of Knox.

“When I got out here I heard Bubba was going to play alone and then they gave him this marker,” said Webber, who followed the group for all 18 holes. “He’s really good. I heard some people in the crowd say they were impressed with him. It’s kind of fun to watch because he’s not putting everything out. It’s almost like he’s out with buddies out here. When the putt is less than a foot he scoops it up.”

Indeed, Knox picked up after hitting his tee shot in Rae’s Creek on the par-3 12th hole. He also picked up a 5-foot putt on the 18th hole, among others.

All the fans along the way were amazed at how relaxed Knox looked.

“I would be nervous,” said Colin McCabe, who is from Milton, Mass., and attends school at Coastal Carolina. “It’s just another day for him. He walks around casually. He’s done it before. I think it would probably be nerve-wracking the first couple of holes and then he’ll settle down. It’s his home club.”