By Bob Harig, in Augusta for the Cayman Compass
A bit-part role in one of the most memorable US Masters tournaments of all-time has given Cayman’s Justin Hastings a taste of elite sport at its best. The trick now is to come down off the emotional high of an incredible awe-inspiring week.
Hastings, 21, didn’t make the cut at the Masters, but he did leave Augusta National with a lifetime of memories and lessons to carry forward as he contemplates two more major championships this year.
Not only that, he finished ahead of his hero Phil Mickelson at Augusta.
This tournament turned out to be one of the best US Masters in recent memory, with Rory McIlroy prevailing in a nail biting play-off to become the sixth player in history to claim a career grand slam.
Hastings’ cameo was over long before McIlroy rolled in the winning putt. But proximity to such great sporting moments can only have strengthened his desire to go as far as possible in the game.
Hastings was scheduled to play with his San Diego State golf team this week at the Western Intercollegiate tournament in Santa Cruz, Calif. That’s a long way from Augusta in both distance and atmosphere.
As for when he turns pro now that his college career is winding down this spring, that decision is still to be determined. But he will likely keep his amateur status long enough to allow him to compete in the US Open and the Open Championship in the UK.
“As of right now, I plan to play the majors,” Hastings said. “You never know what happens in the future. But obviously the college season is finishing up. We’ve got one more regular season event at Pasatiempo and then conference (tournament) and (NCAA) regionals.
“Definitely, going to be a heavy focus on the college season after this tournament, then we’ll kind of deal with the majors and the turning pro as everything comes to me.”
Were it not for his victory at the Latin America Amateur Championship in January, Hastings would not have these decisions to make.
That win at Pilar Golf Club outside of Buenos Aires was a life-changing for Hastings, the second player from the Cayman Islands (Aaron Jarvis also won the tournament in 2022) to win the prestigious event and qualify for the Masters, US Open and British Open.
It’s a good problem to have for Hastings. He is required to remain an amateur to use the Latin America exemptions at Oakmont for the US Open and Royal Portrush for the British Open.
He showed considerable poise in his two rounds at Augusta, where ultimately a double bogey at the 16th hole on Thursday was the difference in making the cut or not. He had just a 9-iron to the green and hit it poorly into a greenside bunker and then took four more shots from there.
Experience a great teacher
Playing alongside two-time major winner Dustin Johnson and Canada’s Nick Taylor, Hastings shot 72 on Friday, which ended up being two too many after an opening 76. His 4-over total missed the 36-hole cut by two shots.
“I’m going to call him a fellow Canuck because both of his parents are Canadian,” Taylor joked when asked about Hastings.
“Yeah, the kid is very impressive,” he said. “I believe it was winning the Latin America Amateur Championship, really impressive. He made some phenomenal saves both days.
“It was impressive, so it was fun.”
It doesn’t hurt to have seasoned pros assessing your game, and Hastings will get more of that if he elects to play in the US Open and British Open, two venerable courses where his game will be tested to the limit.
Ranked 12th in the PGA Tour University standings, Hastings would have access to the PGA Tour Americas schedule whenever he turns pro. If he waits until after Royal Portrush, he’d be looking at the opportunity to play in seven events, all in Canada.
The circuit allows the opportunity for the top finishers to advance to the Korn Ferry Tour, which is another developmental tour just below the PGA Tour. Hastings said he would also participate in the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, which gives direct access to the PGA Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour.
An easier route to the pro tours or the chance to play in two more majors this year?
Lots of decisions.
But for now, it’s college golf, a return home to West Bay – “I’m looking forward to going diving again,” he said – and the memories from a great week at the Masters.
