Apr 10, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Noah Kent plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Kent Represents Florida Men’s Golf at The Masters

Adam Edelin April 11, 2025 Gators Men's Golf, Gators Sports, Golf, PGA Golf 370 Views

The Masters Tournament is in Augusta, Georgia. The most prestigious golf event in the world. A par 72, 7,555 yard course of perfect greens, narrow fairways and perpetual dreams. Every golfer dreams of playing at Augusta National Golf Club, just as every fan dreams of walking the concourse to watch their favorite golfer take on The Masters.

For Florida golfer Noah Kent, dreams have become reality. After finishing runner-up in the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship, the sophomore earned a spot as one of just five amateur golfers invited to the Masters this year.

Kent’s Background

Growing up, Kent had plans to play ice hockey before a meeting with his favorite golfer, Rory McIlroy, as a 13-year-old in 2017 led him to choose golf instead. A more fitting sport, according to his family history:

“My dad’s a pro, a PGA pro. My stepdad is a golf course architect and I feel like if I don’t play golf, it would kind of be the wrong thing,” said Kent. “As much as I’m excited (for the Masters), I think they’re more excited to see their son have the opportunity to do what he loves at the highest level.”

The Naples, FL, native started his collegiate career at Iowa. In his freshman season, Kent set the program record for stroke average by a freshman, shooting 72.8 per round. He played in all 15 tournaments Iowa had that year, earning the Hawkeyes’ No. 1 spot seven times. In 45 collegiate rounds, 21 have been for par or better with 10 top-25, five top-10, and two top-5 finishes. Last season, he tied for the second-lowest round in Iowa history with a 63 at the Puerto Rico Classic. 

Kent transferred to Florida last December after the fall season. Noah grew up a Hawkeye fan, but cited weather, strength of schedule, and coaching as his reasons for the transfer. Although on the roster, Kent was not eligible to play this spring season and will take his first swing as a Gator this fall.

Ahead of The Masters

Now at the Masters representing the University of Florida, Kent is taking it all in, while also understanding his excitement may turn to nerves:

“It’s kind of like golf heaven, so being able to compete with some of the best players in the world, the best tournament, is pretty amazing. You don’t need to make it bigger than it has to be. It’s the biggest tournament in all of golf, and if you do that, you’re just going to drown yourself in a bunch of emotion and a bunch of pressure that you don’t need. So just kind of try to keep it as simple as you can, even though it’s really not.”

In practice rounds ahead of the tournament, Kent not only got to meet his idol McIlroy, he got to play with him. The pairing was a full circle moment for Noah:

“Yeah, it’s really cool. Always looked up to him, always kind of was the guy I looked up to growing up. I mean he’s the reason why I play golf today so for him to just spend a little time with me means the world.”

Bucket list items and professional dreams checked off for Noah Kent. Round one of The Masters was completed on April 10. Kent shot 7-over-par, sticking him T90 in the field. He’s last out of the five amateur golfers prior to the second round, and needs to gain some ground to make the top-50 cut heading into the weekend.

Kent tees off round two on Friday at 11:49 a.m.

 

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