Marco Penge is a Masters rookie. But he's already getting lessons from a legend. Former champion Fred Couples shared some of Augusta's secrets with the 27-year-old before his debut.

That is actually a very interesting way to learn a golf course from an experienced golfer. The 27-year-old English golfer got here by winning the Spanish Open, the first player to qualify for the Masters through the national open pathway.

Then he flew in with his family, walked the par-3 course with them on Wednesday afternoon, and spent his morning on the big course alongside Couples and Brooks Koepka.

 "Freddy gave me tons of tips today," Penge said. "It's the first time I've met him, but I felt like I've kind of known him for 10 years."

He was open about how much there is to figure out here. "Yesterday was the first time I played the course, and it's a lot to learn," he said. 

Now he understands why past champions keep playing well at Augusta even years after they win. The reason is that the course only rewards players who really know it.

Although Penge is new here and is still learning everything, he has something in his game that works anywhere he plays.

Marco Penge Arrives at Augusta Leading the PGA Tour in a Category That Counts

The English golfer leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee this season, and at Augusta, tee position shapes everything. 

Approach angles, birdie looks, scrambling situations, actually, it all starts from the fairway. Penge knows that works in his favour. "I feel like the way I drive the ball is definitely a big advantage around here," he said. "Hopefully I can bring my A game."

He’s not putting too much pressure on himself either. Just being in the mix on Sunday is the goal. It’s his first Master's, a new course, and he’s still using tips he got from Couples, and he knows that’s enough for now.

Winning the Spanish Open helped him get here. Now, on Thursday morning, he gets another chance to build on that.

Do you think Penge can surprise people at Augusta this week? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi