Ryan Gerard's 20,000-Mile Journey to Earn Masters Invite: "Did It a Little Bit Unconventionally"
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A pin with the Masters logo is held by a caddie during a practice round leading up the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY AUG20250408116 JOHNxANGELILLO
Ryan Gerard made the journey of a lifetime to the 2026 Masters.
He crossed 2 oceans and 20,000 miles of burning jet fuel. Hoping to earn a spot at Augusta National, the North Carolina native took a risk and traveled to the other side of the planet.
Gerard had been competing at the Mauritius Open in late 2025 and felt the pressure to secure a high finish to earn his first Major invitation. He estimated a top-15 result might be enough for the invitation, but later found out that he, in fact, needed a two-way T4 for the invitation.
At the 2026 Cognizant Classic press conference, Gerard reflected on how crazy the trip was.
"We did it a little bit unconventionally, but once we got on the property, got there Monday, it turned into a business trip," he told the reporters
PGA, Golf Herren AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Second Round February 13, 2026 Pebble Beach, California, USA Ryan Gerard hits his bunker shot on the second hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Pebble Beach Pebble Beach Golf Links California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKylexTeradax 20260213_kkt_st3_059
PGA, Golf Herren AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Second Round February 13, 2026 Pebble Beach, California, USA Ryan Gerard hits his bunker shot on the second hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Pebble Beach Pebble Beach Golf Links California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKylexTeradax 20260213_kkt_st3_059
Traveling to Mauritius was a 29-hour ordeal alongside his roommate and caddie, John Patrick Burke. To make the trip more "feasible," they spent 7 hours in Rome, touring the Colosseum and having pizza.
Gerard didn't reach that mark; he exceeded it. He finished as the runner-up after losing a dramatic playoff to Jayden Schaper.
This performance was enough to receive the iconic green envelope on his way back. Gerard quipped that Augusta National must have the "best deal with UPS ever" for the speed with which the envelope reached him.
Ryan Gerard Wasn't Ready to Be a PGA TOUR Player in 2023
Gerard's current success contrasts with his debut on the big stage three years ago.
Although he received special temporary status in 2023, he recently admitted he did not have the required maturity for that way of life.
He remarked, "I was not consistent enough. I was not ready for that amount of travel, that amount of pressure, that amount of responsibility."
He thinks returning to the Korn Ferry Tour was necessary for his development.
Gerard developed the resilience for his current success by spending time honing his game and gaining experience. He has come to appreciate the preparation and time management that are required to compete at the top.
As a top-ranked player entering the Cognizant Classic, Gerard believes he has the right mindset. He has moved past the "trying it out" stage and has the confidence of a seasoned pro.
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Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Kalp Thaker