For the first time in 53 years, a true Wichita product walked Augusta National on Thursday and looked like he belonged.
Sam Stevens, the 29-year-old Wichita native and 2014 Kapaun Mt. Carmel graduate, turned in an eventful even-par 72 in his Masters debut to put himself in strong early position at golf’s most exclusive stage. He finished in a tie for 17th and sat five shots behind co-leaders Sam Burns and defending champion Rory McIlroy, leaving himself comfortably on the right side of the projected cut line after Day 1.
That alone would have made for a memorable opening act. The Wichita significance made it even bigger…