In 2023, my co-worker Stephen Hennessey and I got to live out the dream of every golfer when we won the Masters Media lottery, which gave us access to Augusta National on the Monday after Jon Rahm's victory. We were told to show up one hour early, use the pro shop, hit the range and, if we needed, to check out the Champions Locker Room. We of course obliged, and each media member was assigned a locker if they needed. 

I couldn't believe my eyes this past Thursday when, after Rory McIlroy shot an opening-round 67, he told ESPN's Scott Van Pelt that he'd be headed up to the Champions Locker Room to put on his green jacket and have a drink. As he told SVP that, the ESPN camera panned over McIlroy's locker, which he shares with Raymond Floyd and the deceased Ben Hogan. That was the locker I used in 2023! That means I used it before McIlroy did, not to brag. 

If you have a moment on this beautiful Masters Friday, please go check out the shot-by-shot recounting Steve and I did a year after we toured ANGC. Still one of my favorite things I've ever gotten to write.