Legendary Masters marker Jeff Knox was an unsung hero of the major in April but, having served since 2002, handed over the reins in 2023 to club member and Philadelphia native Michael McDermott.
McDermott made it to the round of 16 at the US Amateur 20 years ago, so he is no slouch with a wedge in his hand.
He is the President of Kathmere Capital which is a financial institution in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He is also the co-founder of the GolfBridge Society, which aims to advance the futures of junior golfers in Philadelphia.
McDermott arguably now has the best volunteer job on the planet: playing in the Masters when one player is short in their two-ball and they need their card to be marked.
McDermott was called upon at the 2025 Masters when 53 players made the cut. He was drawn to play with Tom Kim in the third round at 9.40 am local time at Augusta National Golf Club.
What does the Masters marker do?
The Augusta National marker is called upon when there is an odd number of players in the field. A two-ball might be short of a player if the 36-hole cut produces an uneven total of players making it to the weekend.
At the Masters, the top 50 players and ties make it through to the weekend. In 2024, it so happened that 60 players made the cut. So there was an even number on that occasion. 53 players made the cut in 2023.
He is usually called into action after the halfway cut is made, but McDermott’s debut came 24 hours earlier than expected when Kevin Na’s first-round withdrawal from the 2023 Masters meant Mike Weir would be playing on his own on day two.
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Masters marker: It was Knox, now McDermott
As for their job, while the Augusta National marker does get to play the full 18 as if they were in the tournament, they are simply there to sign their playing partner’s scorecard. Their score does not count or affect the Masters leaderboard.
Knox’s finest hour came in 2014 when he outscored Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman described him as the best he’s seen on the treacherous greens in Georgia. The day after, Knox played with Larry Mize who won the Masters in a playoff with Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman in 1987.
Knox also played with Eddie Pepperell at the Masters in the third round in 2019. This was the Englishman’s first appearance at the first major of the year and he came in a tie for 51st place.
It is also alleged that after he beat Sergio Garcia when they were paired together in 2006, the Spaniard didn’t shake his hand. He would of course go on to win the Masters in 2017 in a playoff against Justin Rose.
It will come as no surprise that Knox also holds the Augusta National course record off the member tees thanks to a 61 that earned his place in the Georgia Hall of Fame in 2017.
He has also served as a fountain of knowledge and advice for some top players such as McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
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