Oklahoma State Golf has had a decent showing in the 2026 Masters. Will an OKST alum put on the green jacket? Probably not, but there still are players to root for on Sunday
AUGUSTA, GA — Augusta National Golf Club has once again served as a stage for Oklahoma State golf excellence during the 2026 Masters Tournament.
The Cowboys’ deep alumni and current player pipeline produced multiple contenders who battled through Moving Day on Saturday, April 11, keeping the garnet and white flag flying high even as the leaderboard tightened.
While no OSU-linked player sits atop the board entering Sunday’s final round, several turned in decent performances that show the program’s progress in producing major ready talent.
Current OSU junior and reigning British Amateur champion Ethan Fang, just 20 years old, made his Masters debut this week after qualifying with a thrilling victory at Royal St George’s last summer.
Playing Augusta National for the first time, the Plano, Texas, native opened with a solid 2-over 74 that led all amateurs after Round 1. He followed with a tougher 78 on Friday, finishing at +8 for the tournament and missing the cut by four shots.
Still, Fang’s week was a success for a young amateur facing the sport’s most iconic test. He spoke afterward about the “unforgettable” experience of navigating Amen Corner and the azaleas, gaining invaluable lessons that will serve the defending NCAA champions well in the years ahead.
No amateur advanced to the weekend, but Fang was steady under pressure and was a bright spot for the Cowboys program.
Among the professionals, Wyndham Clark (who spent his freshman season at OSU before transferring to Oregon) delivered the biggest headline for Cowboy fans on Moving Day. Entering the third round in solid position after a sparkling second-round 68, Clark posted an even-par 72 that kept him firmly in the mix. He climbed into a tie for 15th at 4-under for the tournament, highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 third hole that briefly thrust him into the top three earlier in the round.
Clark’s steady play and ability to avoid big numbers on a day when the course played firm and fast show why he remains a dangerous contender heading into Sunday.
Viktor Hovland, the pride of OSU’s recent golden era and a three-year Cowboy before turning pro in 2019, turned in a decent performance. The Norwegian posted a 1-under 71 in the third round to sit at +1 overall, good for a tie for 39th. While Hovland won’t be in Sunday’s final pairing chasing the green jacket, he freely acknowledged post-round that the math simply isn’t there for a victory, he showed flashes of the ball striking ability that once made him a major favorite.
His ability to grind out pars around the hard to play back nine kept his weekend alive and provided another reminder of the talent pipeline from Stillwater.
Other OSU-connected players who made the cut and will play the final round include recent alum Sam Stevens (T36, even par after a 2-under 70 on Saturday) and Alex Norén (T39, +1 after a strong 3-under 69).
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, another with OSU ties, missed the cut but contributed to the program’s presence in the field.
Collectively, the Cowboys had five players reach the weekend, a testament to the depth Mike McGraw has built at Karsten Creek.
Sunday Tee Times (ET) for OSU Alumni Still in Contention:
- Wyndham Clark: Approximately 12:46 p.m. (paired with Brooks Koepka in one of the featured later groups)
- Viktor Hovland: Approximately 10:12 a.m. (with Justin Thomas)
- Alex Norén: Approximately 10:23 a.m. (with Maverick McNealy)
- Sam Stevens: Approximately 10:56 a.m.
As the final round begins, the leaderboard is bunched at the top with Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young tied at 11-under, followed closely by Sam Burns at 10-under.
My pick to win the 2026 Masters: Scottie Scheffler. Bold pick, sure. But he loves that comeback kid play going into the final round.
That said, don’t sleep on Wyndham Clark. If the wind stays light and Clark channels the same precision he showed on Moving Day, a top-five finish (or better) is well within reach for the former Cowboy.
Oklahoma State golf continues to punch above its weight on the game’s biggest stage. Whether it’s a veteran like Hovland grinding out a respectable finish or a phenom like Fang soaking up every moment of his debut, the Cowboys’ influence at Augusta is undeniable.
I’ll be day drinking and watching Wyndham Clark’s round tomorrow afternoon!