Tom Kim is listed to play solo during Saturday’s third round of The Masters, but the South Korean star will not be alone, with Augusta National member Michael McDermott joining him
Tom Kim will take part in a unique Augusta National tradition on Saturday (
Image: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Tom Kim narrowly made the cut at The Masters on Friday, and as a result he will play alongside an Augusta National member in his third round.
Kim was the last person in the clubhouse making the cut on the number at two-over-par on Friday, meaning he will be the first to tee it up on Saturday. And after an odd number of players made the cut, a rule unique to The Masters has been brought into effect.
After two grueling days in Georgia, 53 players successfully made the cut and will play the weekend. South Korean phenom Kim will start his third round 10 shots adrift of leader Justin Rose, and he will have the pleasure of teeing it up with Augusta member Michael McDermott.
McDermott serves as The Masters’ official marker, meaning he is responsible for ensuring no one plays alone across the final two rounds of the tournament. The Pennsylvania native was an elite amateur player and took on the role in 2022.
McDermott, who is president of the finance firm Kathmere Capital and founder of the GolfBridge Society charity, is a two-time winner of the Crump Cup, a top amateur tournament played at Pine Valley. He also reached the last eight of the US Mid-Amateur in 2016.
Augusta National member and marker Michael McDermott will play in his second Masters on Saturday ( Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
After an even number of players made the cut in his first year in the gig, McDermott made his Masters debut in 2023. Kevin Na’s withdrawal led to McDermott partnering with Mike Weir during the second round, and he outdrove the 2003 Masters champion by a significant distance on the opening hole.
McDermott’s services were not required in 2024, but he will be on the first tee at 9:50 a.m. ET to keep world No. 33 and three-time PGA Tour winner company. McDermott is likely to be paired with another player on Sunday, unless someone withdraws ahead of the fourth round.
McDermott replaced Augusta National’s unsung hero, Jeff Knox, after 20 years of service as the tournament’s marker. Knox was also an elite amateur player in his prime, and – although unverified – it has been said he beat some elite players over the years.
In 2014, he played alongside Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman made the cut on the number, and Knox reportedly got the better of him by carding a 70 to McIlroy’s 71. It has also been claimed Knox outscored Sergio Garcia and Larry Mize during his two decades as the marker.
Knox’s game received rave reviews from McIlroy and Justin Thomas. McIlroy said: “He’s the best I’ve ever seen on Augusta’s greens,” while two-time major champ Thomas admitted: “I’d take him over anyone in the world on these greens, hands down.”
