University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Leckie Wong/Augusta National Golf Club
Vol Golfer Jackson Herrington Set to Compete at 2026 Masters Tournament
April 08, 2026 | Men's Golf
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tennessee sophomore Jackson Herrington takes the biggest stage in golf this weekend at the 90th edition of the Masters.
This moment has been on the horizon for Herrington since last August, when he earned an amateur exemption with a runner-up finish at the 125th U.S. Amateur. A historic milestone, the Dickson, Tennessee, native became just the third Vol golfer to ever finish as a runner-up in the event, joining Eric Rebmann (1987) and Oliver Goss (2013).
Looking ahead to the official start of the tournament, groupings and tee-times for rounds one and two were announced on Tuesday morning. Herrington will complete the opening 36 holes alongside 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera from Argentina and Sami Valimaki from Finland, a past champion on the PGA TOUR.
The trio will be the fourth group to tee off the first round on Thursday morning, with an 8:14 a.m. EDT tee time. The group will have a later start on Friday morning, with a second-round tee time slated for 11:27 a.m. EDT.
Beyond success at the U.S. Amateur, Herrington has had a strong start to his collegiate career with Tennessee. As a freshman in 2024-25, he totaled four top 25 finishes and 16 rounds of par or better to help the Vols advance to the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive season.
As a sophomore thus far this season, he has amassed a 70.67 scoring average, secured two top ten finishes, and played a vital role in Tennessee claiming two team wins against high-ranking competition.
Herrington will have a familiar face alongside him as he takes the iconic drive down Magnolia Lane. Tennessee Associate Head Coach Derek Ernst will serve as his caddy, marking a return to Augusta National Golf Club for the former PGA TOUR pro, who competed himself at the 2014 edition of the Masters.
2014 was also the last time a golfer affiliated with Tennessee, current or alumnus, competed in the Masters as Garrick Porteous and Goss were in the field. Goss was the last Volunteer to make the cut in the event, finishing in 49th place at 10-over-par in 2014.
In an effort to grow accustomed to playing in front of major championship caliber crowds, the Vol sophomore aimed high in securing practice rounds with some of professional golf's biggest stars. Herrington kicked off the week by accompanying reigning FedEx Cup champion and world No. 4 Tommy Fleetwood for a practice round on Monday.
Following the prestigious tradition of the Masters amateur dinner on Monday night, he got to the course early Tuesday morning to play nine holes with 2024 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who Herrington will play the second nine with on Wednesday.
In addition to earning an exemption to Augusta National Golf Club, Herrington will also compete in the 2026 U.S. Open Championship, set for June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. It will be the second consecutive year with a current Vol golfer in the U.S. Open field, as current senior Lance Simpson competed in the 2025 edition of the event at Oakmont Country Club.
2026 Masters Tee Times – Jackson Herrington
Round One – Thursday, April 9 – 8:14 a.m. EDT
Round Two – Friday, April 10 – 11:27 a.m. EDT
This moment has been on the horizon for Herrington since last August, when he earned an amateur exemption with a runner-up finish at the 125th U.S. Amateur. A historic milestone, the Dickson, Tennessee, native became just the third Vol golfer to ever finish as a runner-up in the event, joining Eric Rebmann (1987) and Oliver Goss (2013).
Looking ahead to the official start of the tournament, groupings and tee-times for rounds one and two were announced on Tuesday morning. Herrington will complete the opening 36 holes alongside 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera from Argentina and Sami Valimaki from Finland, a past champion on the PGA TOUR.
The trio will be the fourth group to tee off the first round on Thursday morning, with an 8:14 a.m. EDT tee time. The group will have a later start on Friday morning, with a second-round tee time slated for 11:27 a.m. EDT.
Beyond success at the U.S. Amateur, Herrington has had a strong start to his collegiate career with Tennessee. As a freshman in 2024-25, he totaled four top 25 finishes and 16 rounds of par or better to help the Vols advance to the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive season.
As a sophomore thus far this season, he has amassed a 70.67 scoring average, secured two top ten finishes, and played a vital role in Tennessee claiming two team wins against high-ranking competition.
Herrington will have a familiar face alongside him as he takes the iconic drive down Magnolia Lane. Tennessee Associate Head Coach Derek Ernst will serve as his caddy, marking a return to Augusta National Golf Club for the former PGA TOUR pro, who competed himself at the 2014 edition of the Masters.
2014 was also the last time a golfer affiliated with Tennessee, current or alumnus, competed in the Masters as Garrick Porteous and Goss were in the field. Goss was the last Volunteer to make the cut in the event, finishing in 49th place at 10-over-par in 2014.
In an effort to grow accustomed to playing in front of major championship caliber crowds, the Vol sophomore aimed high in securing practice rounds with some of professional golf's biggest stars. Herrington kicked off the week by accompanying reigning FedEx Cup champion and world No. 4 Tommy Fleetwood for a practice round on Monday.
Following the prestigious tradition of the Masters amateur dinner on Monday night, he got to the course early Tuesday morning to play nine holes with 2024 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who Herrington will play the second nine with on Wednesday.
In addition to earning an exemption to Augusta National Golf Club, Herrington will also compete in the 2026 U.S. Open Championship, set for June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. It will be the second consecutive year with a current Vol golfer in the U.S. Open field, as current senior Lance Simpson competed in the 2025 edition of the event at Oakmont Country Club.
2026 Masters Tee Times – Jackson Herrington
Round One – Thursday, April 9 – 8:14 a.m. EDT
Round Two – Friday, April 10 – 11:27 a.m. EDT
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