Bismarck native Brody Horner, 13, has qualified for the national Drive, Chip and Putt competition, set to take place in April at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the young golfer, as he will be just the second North Dakota native ever to participate in the national event since its inception in 2014. Horner secured his spot this past weekend by outperforming eleven other 14-15 year-olds, earning one of ten coveted spots in the prestigious contest.
The Drive, Chip and Putt competition is designed to test three "imperative skills" in golf: driving for distance, chipping for accuracy, and putting precision. The national finals are held annually the weekend before The Masters, placing young competitors on the very grounds where professional golf legends compete. Horner described the experience of qualifying as "so special," expressing that it was something he had dreamt about daily and was now finally happening.
Horner's journey to Augusta is the culmination of years of effort and learning from past experiences. Two years ago, he came up just one round short of qualifying for nationals, an event he now reflects on as a crucial lesson in the mental aspect of the game. He noted that the competition demands a unique mental approach, explaining that participants "basically have to hit nine shots perfect." Unlike an 18-hole match where a player can miss a few shots and still recover, the nine-shot format of Drive, Chip and Putt offers little room for error. "Nine shots, you don’t have a lot of time to recover," Horner stated.
Now in his fifth year of competing in the series, Horner has gained a deeper understanding of the nuances required for success. He has placed a significant emphasis on refining his putting and chipping skills, areas he specifically identified as having prevented him from qualifying in 2024. He attributed his current success to consistent dedication, saying he "just worked for it every year" and believed it was "bound to happen at some point" due to his hard work.
Looking ahead to the national competition, Horner shared his excitement about playing at Augusta National Golf Club. He expressed a sense of awe at the prospect of being on the same greens as professional golfers he watches annually, calling it "insane just watching pros go there every year." While he acknowledges his competitive nature, Horner also shared that he is tempering his expectations for the big stage. He remarked on the difficulty of not being "super competitive" but also recognized the unique opportunity regardless of the outcome. "You still get to shots on Augusta no matter what happens," he observed.
Horner will have another opportunity to compete at Augusta next year, but for now, his focus remains on preparing for April's event. His family plans to travel with him and hopes to experience watching a round of The Masters as Patrons. Horner specifically looks forward to seeing his favorite golfer, Scottie Scheffler, during their time at the iconic course.