Q&A: Ethan Fang Readies for Masters Debut

It’s Masters week, and the field at Augusta isn’t short on Oklahoma State ties.

Along with the likes of Viktor Hovland, Alex Noren, Sam Stevens, Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson and Wyndham Clark, there will be a current Cowboy on the course with goals of becoming the low amateur.

Ethan Fang will make his Masters debut after winning the Amateur Championships at Royal St. George’s.

A junior, Fang transferred to OSU ahead of last season from Cal. His first year in orange couldn’t have gone much better, as the Cowboys won a national title. Fang was a First Team All-American and currently ranks as the No. 8 amateur in the world.

Fang has already played some golf in Augusta this week, as the Cowboys took part in the Haskins Award Invitational at Forest Hills. OSU took second as a team, and Fang took 10th as an individual.

He sat down with the people at the Masters to discuss the upcoming week:

Ethan, let’s talk a little bit about the last couple days, playing for the Augusta Haskins Invitational at Forest Hills. What went into the decision to keep your schedule playing for Oklahoma State leading into the Masters?

Fang: Me and Coach talked about it a couple months before, and I think that’s kind of the best way I prepare is playing tournaments and getting that competitive mindset. Yeah, obviously I wanted to help the team out. Can’t let them down. I got second, came close. But I think that’s the best way for me to prepare.

Obviously no golf course in the world can compare to Augusta National, but what about Forest Hills maybe — I don’t want to say helped you prepare for this, but how are you turning the page and getting ready for this week?

Fang: Yeah, obviously it was pretty firm over at Forest Hills, so that’s one good thing. They’re going to get pretty firm here. But honestly, just all the funky lies I had at Forest Hills just makes it that much easier hitting an iron shot out here when there’s not a single divot out there.

That tournament provides every player and coach a Monday practice round. You’re making debut at the Masters and get to look at the gallery and see Preston and some of the other guys on your team. What is that experience like for you?

Fang: Yeah, it’s really cool. I think it keeps me more loose out there seeing my friends goofing off over there, chirping me, but it’s a good time, and I’m glad they’re out there.

What are some of the things they said, or did you hear anything good?

Fang: Yeah, they were just asking me for golf balls, just messing with me, just saying some stuff that might not be appropriate.

You played with Rasmus (Neergaard-Petersen)? I know there’s an Oklahoma connection there.

Fang: Yeah, Coach set that up. I think I’m going to play with Viktor (Hovland) tomorrow.

Have you talked to him before?

Fang: Yeah, he’s always out at our home course at Oklahoma State, so we see him a good amount. And I kind of asked him some tips here and there.

Like what?

Fang: Just how the whole week goes. Just kind of little tips on how the wind kind of tricks you here and how it gets firm throughout the week.

We were saying that with Rasmus, you Oklahoma players know about the wind, but this is a different wind?

Fang: Yeah, it blows a lot harder in Oklahoma, but it’s one direction. It doesn’t switch on you every couple minutes.

Do you have a shot that when you’re nervous this week or a little uncomfortable over a shot that you just go to?

Fang: Yeah, I’d say it’s just a little cut. I cut the ball pretty much on every shot. Yeah, it’s definitely a go-to shot.

What adjustments do you make in order to hit that?

Fang: Honestly, not much. It’s a lot of feel, so it’s kind of hard to describe what I do. But I just try to take a couple deep breaths and try to stay loose.

Obviously a goal of just about anyone here is to make the cut, especially for amateurs. Do you set yourself up for different expectations this week or how do you get the most out of this week from a personal level?

Fang: Yeah, for sure. I don’t really like to set too many expectations going into the week. I feel like that can put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Obviously my goal is to be low am for the week. That would be really cool, getting to go up there at the trophy presentation. But yeah, I’m going to go out there and just try to play my best, do my best, and see what happens.

What are the sleeping arrangements tonight in the Crow’s Nest? It’s a big night for amateurs, the amateur dinner. Do you have any insight on who’s going to be up there with you?

Fang: Yeah, I talked to Mason (Howell) earlier. It’s me and him. I’m not sure what Jackson (Herrington) is doing. But me and Mason up there after the dinner, and it’ll be fun.

If there’s one thing you could do that’s completely non-golf related tonight, just to say hey, look what I got to do at the Crow’s Nest on Monday night that you could tell friends and family for years to come —

Fang: I don’t know, hopefully we can get a couple guys over, maybe play some cards. I think that would be fun, just kind of talk and play some poker. That would be a good story.

You can also lean on your Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith.

Fang: Exactly, yeah.