19 rookies looking to tear it up at Augusta

It’s a well-known fact that only three players have won The Masters on their debut, with Fuzzy Zoeller the last to do so in 1979.

This year, 19 players will be teeing it up for the first time at Augusta National. But just who are they?

1. Russell Knox

Secured his place at the Masters with a win at the WGC-HSBC Champions back in November. One of only two Scots in the field alongside Sandy Lyle, Knox is also the highest-ranked Scot in the world at No.35 in the world.

2. Justin Thomas

Like Knox, Thomas grabbed his maiden PGA Tour title in November – albeit at the lesser-known CIMB Classic in Malaysia.

3. Kevin Kisner

Arrives at The Masters as a result of an exceptional 2015 season where he didn’t manage to get a win, but lost out in three play-offs which helped him reach the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.

4. Andy Sullivan

A three-time winner on the European Tour in 2015, he also ran Rory McIlroy very close at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

5. Rafa Cabrera-Bello

Rocketed up the world rankings with a semi-final showing at the WGC-Dell Match Play – which secured his place in the field – and followed that up with a fourth-placed finish at the Shell Houston Open.

6. Emiliano Grillo

Won the Frys.com Open back in October in his first event as a PGA Tour member.

7. Daniel Berger

Finished 11th in last year’s FedEx Cup standings and was awarded PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

8. Kiradech Aphibarnrat

Two-time winner on the European Tour last season at the Shenzhen International and Paul Lawrie Match Play.

9. Smylie Kaufman

Winner of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October and making only his second start in a major.

10. Troy Merritt

Like Kaufman, making only his second start in a major following his win at the Quicken Loans National.

11. David Lingmerth

Defeated Justin Rose in a play-off to snatch the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village back in June.

12. Cameron Smith

Making his Masters debut as a result of a tremendous showing at last year’s US Open at Chambers Bay, where he finished in a tie for fourth.

13. Fabian Gomez

Clinched his maiden PGA Tour title at the FedEx St Jude Classic in June and followed that up with another win at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.

14. Bryson DeChambeau

Reigning US Amateur champion after a 7&6 win over Derek Bard.

15. Jin Cheng

Current Asia-Pacific Amateur champion.

16. Romain Langasque

Current Amateur champion.

17. Derek Bard

Last year’s US Amateur runner-up.

18. Paul Chaplet

Current Latin America Amateur champion and the first Costa Rican every to play in The Masters.

19. Sammy Schmitz

Current US Mid-Amateur champion.

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Masters rookies :: Who will do the best?

Which Masters debutant do you think will perform best at Augusta National this week? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.