Why Texas Children's Houston Open is pivotal for this amateur's Masters prep

USA Today

25-03-2025

Why Texas Children's Houston Open is pivotal for this amateur's Masters prep
HOUSTON — When Noah Kent tees it up Thursday in the first round of the 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open, it will be his first round of competitive golf in 74 days.
His last significant swing came Jan. 12 in the Jones Cup, one of the top amateur events on the calendar. The 2024 U.S. Amateur runner-up transferred to the University of Florida from Iowa this offseason, forgoing the rest of his eligibility as a sophomore. There has been plenty of golf for Kent, whether it's qualifying rounds against his new teammates or working on his swing on the driving range, but he has gone more than two months without the competitive juices flowing.
Also of note: Kent is set to play in the Masters in two weeks.
"Just can't wait to play," Kent said.
Kent is one of five amateurs who will battle for the Silver Cup, given to the low amateur who makes the cut at Augusta National in two weeks, but first he has stops at Memorial Park Golf Course, thanks to a sponsor exemption, and the Terra Cotta Invitational, another top amateur event in his hometown of Naples, Florida. It's two chances to knock the rust off after a long competitive layoff, and he's champing at the bit to get going.
"The last time I wasn't able to play golf for this long was before my freshman year of college," Kent said. "I broke my wrist over the summer and couldn't play for like, 10 weeks, but then played every single event freshman year. So yeah, this is the longest it's ever been.
"It hasn't even been for an injury, which is the hardest part."
Since finishing runner-up at the U.S. Amateur last summer, the Masters has been on Kent's mind.
He returned to school in Iowa City and played in four events for the Hawkeyes this fall, his worst finish being T-13. Then came his decision to transfer to Florida, though it wasn't without repercussions. Because of NCAA transfer rules, he would have to sit out the remainder of his sophomore season, meaning no competitive reps as a Gator until next fall.
"As hard as it was to not be able to play this semester, I know how much learning and how much growth I'm going to be able to make before I can tee it up for them in the fall," Kent said. "I can't say enough great things about all the guys on the team and (coach) J.C. (Deacon) and Duds (assistant Dudley Hart). They're the two best coaches in college golf."
Two weeks ago, he went on a scouting trip to Augusta National, his second trip down Magnolia Lane in preparation for his first major start. His caddie will be Jonathan Smart, who looped for Danny Willett when the Englishman won the Masters in 2016 and currently is on the bag for LIV Golf's Cameron Tringale.
Kent said he plans to have a practice round with Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, also pupils of Kent's coach Claude Harmon III. He has also spoken about Masters prep with John Cook and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy.
"I definitely have gone out and tried to get as much information that I could," Kent said.
But first, Kent has his PGA Tour debut to make and then another tournament to knock off some rust before heading back to Augusta. He said he'll stay in the Crow's Nest at least one night, if not more. But the Masters is a week he has been looking forward to since last August, and that moment is almost here.
"It's literally heaven on earth," Kent said of Augusta National. "It's everything you ever dreamed of as a kid, and now playing in it and prepping for it, it's really cool. At the end of the day, it's still business, so it's trying to find that balance. You know, you don't want to be too overwhelmed and all that type of stuff. But at the same time, it's another golf tournament, and you've got to accept all the pressures of it."