When Tom McKibbin tees off at Augusta National on Thursday, he’ll become the 18th Irishman to have done so in golf’s most famed tournament.
Here are the varying fortunes of the 17 before him on their first drive down Magnolia Lane.
Joe Carr – 1967
The Dubliner had the distinction of being the first Irishman to play in the Masters and also the first Irishman to become a member of Augusta National Golf Club – something his son John would also do in 2004.
A two-time low amateur at the Open, Carr first appeared at the Masters in 1967 and made the cut on his debut.
Rounds of 76 and 74 ensured he was one of eight amateurs to make the cut, although a 79-84 weekend ensured he was last of those playing four rounds at a tournament won by Gay Brewer.
His exploits would help him in becoming the first Irishman inducted into World Golf’s Hall of Fame – Christy O’Connor Senior and Pádraig Harrington have since appeared.
Christy O’Connor Jnr – 1977
It took another 10 years for a second Irish player to drive down Magnolia Lane, with Christy O’Connor Jnr making his one and only appearance in 1977.
O’Connor tuned up in East Africa for the event, but he was unable to make any impact at the Masters as rounds of 78 and 79 saw him finish towards the tail-end of the field.
A 27-year-old Tom Watson saw off Jack Nicklaus for his first green jacket – but that match-up played second fiddle to the ‘Duel in the Sun’ later that year when Watson again prevailed at Turnberry to lift the Claret Jug.
Garth McGimpsey – 1986
Bangor’s Garth McGimpsey made two appearances at the Masters and both saw him cut after two-round totals of 156.
There thanks to his Amateur Championship victory at Royal Dornoch in 1985, his warm-up included a practice round with Jack Nicklaus, who a week later would send him a cheque for $4 for coming out on top.
McGimpsey also managed to better Arnold Palmer’s score on round one having shared a tee time with the golfing great, but a 78 compared to his playing partner’s 80 meant that making the cut was never on.
Ronan Rafferty – 1990
Newry man Ronan Rafferty enjoyed one of the best Augusta debuts for an Irish player as he finished in a tie for 14th.
Ronan Rafferty chips to the green in 1990 at Augusta National
He finished the previous year as Europe’s number one and always carried a confidence in his game ever since turning pro at 17.
A brilliant 69 on moving day had him troubling the top 10, but a final-round 73 meant he didn’t breach it.
Nick Faldo won the tournament, finishing strongly before beating Raymond Floyd in a play-off. The American, at 48, was hoping to become the oldest winner at Augusta.
David Feherty – 1992
County Down has a long association with the Masters – Rae’s Creek is named after a controversial Mourne native – and former Ulster man and now US citizen David Feherty was another to compete.
More known to the US golf community for his CBS commentary, the opinionated Bangor man made the cut in ‘92 on his one and only appearance at the Masters.
He finished on four-over-par, in a tie for 52nd, after rounds of 73, 72, 77 and 70.
Fred Couples won his first and only major, with two shots to spare over Raymond Floyd.
Darren Clarke – 1998
Darren Clarke has the honour of being the first Irishman to finish inside the top 10 at the Masters after a blistering weekend performance.
Opening rounds of 76 and 73 in 1998 had left the Tyrone man down the field, but a 67-69 saw him race through the pack.
The highlight came on Saturday as eagles at 13 and 15 arrived within 30 minutes – meaning two pairs of crystal goblets were coming home with him.
Pádraig Harrington – 2000
Pádraig Harrington travelled to the 2000 Masters a week after claiming his second European Tour title – the Brazil Sao Paulo 500 Years Open, the tour’s first visit to South America.
Confidence was high then going down Magnolia Lane, and justified too as the Dubliner secured a top-20 finish.
Rain caused delays over the week, but in the end Vijay Singh won by three strokes. Five years later, Harrington would beat Singh, and Joe Ogilvie, for his first PGA title at the Honda Classic.
Paul McGinley – 2002
Paul McGinley in trouble in the trees on the 10th – Camellia – in 2002
Paul McGinley may be a regular at Augusta for media duties, but he only actually played in the tournament twice.
In 2006 he failed to make the cut, but his debut four years earlier was much more promising as he finished 18th.
Tiger Woods held onto his green jacket, becoming only the third player to defend after Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo. This week, Rory McIlroy attempts to join that elusive club.
Michael Hoey – 2002
Ireland had two debutants on the course in 2002 as Antrim’s Michael Hoey also played.
Invited as the British Amateur champion, rounds of 75 and 73 saw him miss the cut by a single stroke.
Hoey was always going to turn professional, but didn’t want to forfeit his spot by doing so before Augusta. He signed pro terms a week later.
In more recent times, Hoey has been a referee on the DP World Tour.
Graeme McDowell – 2005
In the news last week as he planted seeds of a DP World Tour return from LIV Golf, the Portrush golfer racked up an impressive nine appearances at Augusta.
Six of those nine ended on Friday, although he has two top-20s in there too, and his first appearance was torpedoed by a devastating opening 79 with his front nine including six bogeys and a double bogey.
Tiger Woods defeated Chris DiMarco in a play-off, but the event is legendary for Verne Lundquist’s commentary of Woods’ miracle shot from just off the green at the 16th: “Well here it comes, oh, my goodness, oh, wow. In your life have you seen anything like that?”
Brian McElhinney – 2006
We all know about Paul McGinley’s links to Donegal but the Tír Chonaill County did have a player take to the fairways at golf’s most famed course as Burnfoot’s Brian McElhinney teed up 20 years ago.
Like Michael Hoey, a British Amateur crown punched his ticket having previously won the European Amateur. Only two people have managed that, McElhinney and Sergio Garcia.
In a group with Tom Watson and Michael Campbell, he didn’t make the cut but was the best finishing amateur with Phil Mickelson eventually putting on the green jacket.
Brian McElhinney drives off the 18th tee during practice in 2006
Rory McIlroy – 2009
The first of the 17 attempts to don the green jacket, and not a bad debut as Rory McIlroy finished 20th just a few weeks prior to his 20th birthday.
This was his first major as a professional and he was consistent across the week with a scorecard of 72-73-71-70.
McIlroy was called to view footage of an incident towards the end of his second round when he kicked at the sand after making a mess of a bunker shot, but he was cleared.
Angel Cabrera won his second major title after defeating Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry in a play-off.
Alan Dunbar – 2013
The second of two major appearances having missed the cut at the 2012 Open – the Antrim man failed to make it to the weekend in Georgia too.
A rough start saw him four over after two holes and he eventually signed off for 83 – saying years later he thought he’d struggle to break 100 on a year when Adam Scott stood tallest.
Dunbar also had a ticket to the 2013 US Open, provided he remained an amateur – but he turned pro after the Masters.
In 2011, Dunbar played on a winning Walker Cup team against one of the most stacked American squads ever – Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Harris English and Russell Henley all part of the losing side.
Shane Lowry – 2015
Shane Lowry played in eight majors before he finally got to drive down Magnolia Lane.
It was a short first shot at the green jacket, rounds of 75 and 72 seeing him miss the cut by a single shot.
The damage was done with two double bogeys in three holes on the back nine on Thursday as Jordan Spieth produced magic golf to come out on top.
This week will be the Offaly man’s 11th appearance at the tournament.
James Sugrue – 2020
If playing in your first Masters is like trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, then spare a thought for Cork’s James Sugrue, who had to wait an extra seven months as it was postponed due to Covid-19.
Unfortunately for the Mallow man, he wasn’t able to play in front of his family – or any spectators, for that matter – as crowds were not allowed in.
James Sugrue in first-round action at the 2020 Masters, played in November
Although he didn’t make the cut, Sugrue became the first GB & Ireland amateur to shoot under par at the Masters after a brilliant second-round 71.
Dustin Johnson stormed home with a five-shot winning margin.
Séamus Power – 2022
Séamus Power hasn’t secured an invite for this week’s Masters, a disappointment because he generally fares well here having made the cut on both previous visits.
The first of those in 2022 saw him hit 74 in all three opening rounds before a Sunday 70 moved him inside the top 30 a few months after breaking into the world’s top 50 for the first time.
Scottie Scheffler held off Rory McIlroy to win despite some incredible yips on the final hole as he four-putted.
Matthew McClean – 2023
The Belfast optometrist can say something that maybe only one other Irishman – Rory McIlroy – can say, that he led the Masters.
An early starter on the Thursday, McClean picked up two birdies in his first four holes to see his name on top of those famous white scoreboards dotted around the course.
McClean hit too many double bogeys though and rounds of 77 and 74 saw him miss out on the cut but he stuck around to watch Jon Rahm hit a brilliant 69 on the Sunday to top that white leaderboard when all was said and done.