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Though he was ineligible to officially be named Low Amateur of the 2025 Masters Tournament after missing the cut, Latin America Amateur champion Justin Hastings did have the lowest score of all amateurs in the field. His four-over-par total was two strokes clear of Hiroshi Tai, the reigning NCAA Division I individual champion, and at least five strokes clear of every other amateur in the field. His second round was the lowest of any amateur in the field, closing his tournament with an even-par 72.
“To finally reap the benefits of what that tournament means and be here and put on a decent performance and kind of show myself that I can get around a place like this with some of the best, it's been such a big part of my life.” Hastings said after his second round at Augusta National.
Hastings was one of five amateurs in the field this year, each of whom soaked up the experience of being around the best of the best, which Hastings said was one of the best parts of his Masters experience.
“Just being in the presence of the best players in the world, the guys you grow up watching on TV and idolizing is -- I think that's super cool.” Hastings said, “You turn a corner, and you see the No. 1 player in the world in your face, it's like, wow. That's kind of when little things like that hit you.”
And some of those guys that Hastings watched on television were impressed with his play. The 21-year-old was paired with 2019 Masters champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian Nick Taylor over the first two rounds, the latter of whom spoke highly of Hastings.
“Yeah, the kid is very impressive.” Taylor said, “I believe it was winning the Latin America Amateur Championship, really impressive. He made some phenomenal saves both days.”
But even before Hastings teed it up amongst Taylor, Johnson and the world’s best, a dream was realized being on property all week.
“I don't know if everything has even hit me yet,” Hastings said on Monday in a joint press conference with Tai. “It's totally surreal, and I don't think I'll be able to put it into words now, and I don't know if I ever will be.”
Still, Hastings’ competitive rounds at the Masters were not without highlights. He birdied the uphill, par-5 eighth hole in both rounds and added a birdie at No. 3 – after an approach inside three feet – and at No. 14.
“I think it's hard to -- this place exceeds expectations,” said Hastings after his second round. “You can't really expect enough I think. I think that's just how I would sum up the whole week. Just blew my expectations away.”
