Cameron Young

The New York native enters the week off a pair of ho-hum finishes at the RBC Heritage (T51) and Wells Fargo Championship (T59). His confidence tank isn't full but not running on empty, either. Perhaps a semi-home game will lift his game. "It feels like home. Obviously I didn't live that close to here, but it's the same style of golf, and I'm just excited for the week.I think even walking down the first hole today, there's something familiar about just the grasses and kind of the weather that I feel like is unique to this part of the country."  Young twirled a T3 at Southern Hills last year which was his PGA Championship debut. He's yet to win on the big stage but his game is built for tough courses which Oak Hill certainly is. 

Young missed the cut in his 2022 Masters debut but did much better the second time around. He was second in strokes gained off-the-tee behind only Jon Rahm. He was also just outside of the top 5 in putting. "I feel like I played really well. I think I made three doubles with no penalty strokes, and I'm going to lose by four-ish shots. So that is a bummer." Young now has three top 10s in major championships and remains on the hunt for his breakout win.

The big hitter roared out of the gate with a three-hole birdie train and picked off four more birdies before his day was done. He's more relaxed in his second attempt at Augusta National. "I think comfort level is like the main thing. I was afraid to go hit the first tee shot last year, and this year it wasn't at all the same. I'm just a lot more comfortable." Young piped 12-of-14 fairways and landed 14 GIR while also gaining more than a stroke putting. The all-around attack has him well-positioned after day one.

Young went 1-2-0 in his WGC-Match Play debut but found his form this week. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that he's picked up steam the first week having Paul Tesori on his bag. Young found himself 2DOWN thru 15 but circled birdie on two of the last three to force extra holes and he delivered a birdie on hole one of the playoff.  Young's confidence tank is now full ahead of his showdown with 13-seed Sam Burns, "It's just further proof that I feel like I can hang with anybody in the world. Rory's obviously one of the best of his generation, if not the best, and one of the best players in the world right now. So anytime you get to go out and play 19 holes with him it's a lot of fun. Just thankful to get it done."