Canada's Adam Svensson savouring 'wow' moments at maiden Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Adam Svensson arrived at the driving range Monday morning of his first Masters with a black rain jacket on, a highlighter-yellow credential around his neck, and his hands in his pockets other than to say hello to someone in a green coat. Then he saw Tiger Woods hitting balls and the Canadian's eyes lingered on the five-time Masters champion for a beat, then another — who wouldn't stare? — before he got to his own spot to warm up. He played nine holes by himself, skipping a ball on 16, and nearly acing the iconic par-3 12th.

Welcome to the Masters.

Svensson, who is playing his first major championship this week after his victory at The RSM Classic in November — his maiden Tour title — spent Monday morning trotting around Augusta National solo, enjoying the walk. It was much better this time around than when he came for a pre-tournament practice round in March.

“I could barely finish walking 18 I was so drained,” he said, laughing. The Canadian had a practice game arranged with Vijay Singh, but the former Masters champion was running late and missed their 10 a.m. start. No matter. Svensson took in the grandeur of Augusta National as best he could as he gets set for his first start at a major championship.

“You don’t get this on a Monday,” Svensson said, pointing to the mass of patrons assembled near the first fairway. “It’s pretty cool. The whole layout is so green. It’s so hilly. You don’t see this ever.”

The native of Surrey, B.C. will tee it up alongside his fellow Canadians in the field — Mike Weir, Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes — on Tuesday in a red-and-white practice game, while his long-time girlfriend, Gabi Powell, will be his caddie in the Par-3 Contest. His parents, Tina and Frank (his dad has been his only swing coach his whole life) arrive Monday night. Things are very much happening.

“It’s crazy to think a couple of years ago with where I was and playing the Masters now. The most exciting part is when they’re going to call my name on the first tee,” Svensson told Sportsnet. “(Playing the Masters) was up there with winning on the PGA Tour. Just even to play in the event, it’s like, ‘Wow, that would be unbelievable.’ And now I am. It’s crazy.”

Svensson was an all-star junior golfer growing up amassing hundreds of titles, he believes, before all that success translated into college golf, too. He won a school-record nine times while at Florida’s Barry University and helped the school win the Division II NCAA Championship in back-to-back years. He turned professional and found plenty of success again — until he didn’t.

Svensson lost his PGA Tour card in 2019 and had to drop back to the feeder-circuit Korn Ferry Tour. That was the first time the Canadian had 'failed' in his golfing career. It was time for a change. He quit drinking and became as committed as anyone to golf as work. He put in a daily effort which continues to this day.

“It’s just nice to see what you’re doing is correct. That’s the biggest relief,” said Svensson. “The proof is showing that what you’re doing is working, and that’s all you can ask for.”

All that work has actually been noticed by Woods himself, since he’s a member of the same south Florida club, Medalist, that Svensson is. They’ve chatted a few times. With Svensson there every day, putting in work, it was bound to happen.

(Speaking of GOATs, the Canadian has played about a dozen times with Michael Jordan at his Florida club, Grove XIII, and even got a congratulatory text from Jordan after his win in November. “He’s fun to play with. He doesn’t play well on the first 18 and then the second 18 rolls around and you can’t beat the guy.”)

Even though there was plenty of things that made Svensson’s eyes pop on Monday, his game was, in a word, dialled. His caddie, AJ Montecinos, was on the bag for YE Yang when he took down Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship, so there’s big-stage pedigree there. And the way Svensson played Augusta National’s back nine as a starting point to his week should help assuage any worries about this golf course.

He knocked it to a foot on No. 11 before the aforementioned near-ace on No. 12. He wedged it in close on 14 and after hitting one approach into the water on 15 he hit his next shot hole high with a hybrid before dropping in lay-up range and nipping that wedge close, too.

“During the practice rounds, yeah, I’m like, 'Wow, I’m at the Masters' but once the tournament hits it'll be more like, 'OK, I'm here to play golf and I'm going to try to get the ball in the hole' and just enjoy what’s around me,” said Svensson. “I’m excited to play. It'll be different but it should be different. It should feel that way because it's a major.”

Svensson's swing is picture perfect, and he's playing as complete a game as he ever has — he’s 38th on the PGA Tour this year in strokes gained: total — and while the pressure will be turned up come Thursday, for now, all's good for the Masters debutant.