AUGUSTA (Georgia) — Taya Buxton, Paine College women’s golfer, can now be called the female Jeff Knox at Augusta National Golf Club.
Buxton, who is only 18 years old and has been playing golf for four year, was unaware of Knox until Saturday, when she heard about him after she had played in the final round at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Knox has been the Masters Tournament’s long-standing marker when there is an odd number of players after the 36-hole cut. Knox, an Augusta National member, is paired up with the player who is the first to finish the round. This keeps him company and helps keep his score high.
Because only 30 players qualified from 36 holes, the issue of a marker was not raised in the three previous editions of Augusta National Women’s Amateur. In a playoff, the ties for 30 th places were broken.
The rule was modified this year and the top 30 (and ties) advanced. From the 72 golfers who started at Champions Retreat, 31 qualified for the final round at Augusta National Golf Club.
So, why was Buxton called to play Saturday?
It all started almost exactly one year ago when Augusta National established the Lee Elder Scholarships to support men and women attending Paine College, Augusta’s Historically Black College. Elder was the first Black player in the Masters in 1975. The scholarship’s name is in his honor. Elder passed away in November 2021 seven months after his honorary start for the 2021 Masters Tournament alongside Jack Nicklaus & Gary Player.
Augusta National funded the Elder Scholarships and the Paine women’s team. This season was the first. Buxton, a Powell resident, Ohio was the first woman to receive the scholarship.
Augusta National informed her two months prior that she would be the marker in case of an odd number of players in round three.
Buxton had been following the results closely and was familiar with the standings. Buxton was just about to go to sleep in her dorm, when Buxton received the call.
“I was waiting for the call, and when it did, I saw it pop up. He asked if I’d like to play at Augusta National. I replied, “Yes, of course,” she said. “I’m so happy and glad to be here.”
She was paired up with Lottie Woad, an English golfer. She refused to reveal what she shot. She said she had picked up a few shots to speed up the pace and that it was not her best. My swing was off today.”
Buxton stated, “I wasn’t my best, but I enjoyed the experience, each shot, and the crowd.” It’s all new for me. Although it’s nerve-racking at first, I soon got used to it. It was a great experience.
Buxton’s most memorable moments were at the beginning and the end of the day.
She had her father drive her to Augusta National at the beginning, so that he could experience driving down Magnolia Lane. It was an exciting moment when her name was added to the starter’s standard at the 10 th Tee. Her caddie also had her name on his caddie suit. This was just like the rest of the golfers. One difference was that her caddie was the only one wearing purple, Paine athletics’ dominant colour.
She hit her best shot of day on the final hole. She started her round at No. 10 was her last hole. 9. She missed her approach shot at the par 4-6 feet, but she ran the birdie putt.
She said, “I wanted it bad.” “I did everything I could to make it work.”
She was able to make the par putt on her comeback.
She said that she was in shock at the opportunity to play Saturday. “It’s amazing to have the chance to play.
