A pair of talented young golfers

ALBANY N.Y. (NEWS10) – Hayden Knapp and Tanner LaTorre came up just short of playing at Augusta National. 

Hayden who is 8 years old, and Tanner who is 9 finished third and second respectively at the Drive, Chip and Putt regional qualifier at Winged Foot. 

“It was nerve racking at first but once I got into it, it was fun,” said Hayden.

Tanner said he loved the experience,

“it meant a lot to me it was hard with the greens but I had fun still.”

Both players finished as alternates for the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals at Augusta. Only ten players in the 7 to 9 age group qualified. 

Despite falling short both golfers had one thing in mind for next year,

“I want to get better and better and maybe when I go back to Drive, Chip, and Putt maybe go to Augusta” Hayden said.

Tanner said his goal was “to win the Drive, Chip and Putt at Augusta.”