For most golf fans, walking the fairways of Augusta National isn’t just a dream—it’s the dream. For 21-year-old Justin Hastings, that dream became a reality when he competed as an amateur at the 2024 Masters. Now, with his sights set on the U.S. Open at Oakmont, Hastings reflects on the awe, pressure, and lessons of playing alongside legends in golf’s most iconic arenas.
From childhood dream to reality
Justin Hastings wasn’t just another collegiate golfer with ambitions—he was a self-proclaimed “golf fanatic” who grew up idolizing the Masters. His passion for the game began at eight years old, and like many golf fans, Augusta National quickly became sacred ground. So much so, Hastings admits he used to fake being sick just to skip school and watch the tournament from home.
This April, that childhood fantasy transformed into reality. After winning the Latin America Amateur Championship in Buenos Aires, the San Diego State student earned a coveted invitation to the Masters—just one of five amateurs to receive the honor in 2024. That victory also secured his place in this week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, where he hopes to build on his Augusta debut. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one I’ll never forget,” Hastings says. “The Masters was always the tournament for me. Being there, walking down Magnolia Lane—it felt like I was living someone else’s life.”
The mental game at Augusta
Despite the awe of being surrounded by the legends of golf, Hastings was well aware that he had a job to do. His strategy? Tune out the chaos and focus on his own performance. “You just need to focus on your own game, control what you can control and the score will look after itself,” he told CNN Sports. But the mental game was easier said than done. On his first practice round, he was overwhelmed by nerves. “All that kept going through my mind was to not hit anyone,” he laughed. That day, Hastings experienced jitters he’d never felt on a course before—but in hindsight, those nerves became his advantage. When competition began on Thursday, he had already confronted the emotional rollercoaster of Augusta.
Hastings shot a 76 on day one, followed by a composed 72 on Friday, ultimately missing the cut by just two strokes. “I felt the pressure trying to make the cut on the back nine Friday. But I gave myself a shot, and that was important for my confidence.”
More than just a guest: Royal treatment for amateurs
While it might be easy to assume amateurs are an afterthought in a field packed with stars, Hastings says the opposite was true. Augusta National embraced its amateur invitees, from the ceremonial Tuesday dinner to granting access to past champions. “They made us feel like royalty,” he said. “There’s such deep respect for how far you’ve come just to qualify. You’re not one of the favorites, but they still make you feel like you belong.”
One of the highlights of his week? Playing nine holes with 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed. “He told me, ‘Don’t try to be anyone else out there—your game got you here,’” Hastings recalled. “That really stuck with me.” Hastings was paired with 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian veteran Nick Taylor for the opening rounds, giving him even more insight into the rhythm and focus of seasoned professionals. Yet for all the on-course highlights, his stay in Augusta’s legendary Crow’s Nest—reserved for amateurs—stood out as a personal favorite. “It was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. The history of that room is incredible. Just knowing that some of golf’s greatest names have stayed there and now I’ve joined that list—it’s hard to put into words.”
Juggling majors and midterms
If the pressure of playing at Augusta wasn’t enough, Hastings was also wrapping up his college degree at San Diego State. Between tournament prep and media commitments, he still had final exams to complete. The grind, he says, is all part of the journey. “Some days, it can be mentally tough to keep going,” he admitted. “Getting up at 6 a.m. for the gym, going to class, then practicing until dark—you do those things because you love the sport.”
That commitment has fueled his rapid rise in the amateur ranks. And now, armed with his Augusta experience and fresh confidence, he turns his attention to Oakmont.
Eyeing redemption at the U.S. Open
Oakmont Country Club is widely regarded as one of the toughest tracks in golf. Known for lightning-fast greens and unforgiving rough, it has broken spirits and humbled champions. For Hastings, that’s all part of the appeal. “My social media feed is full of people talking about how hard the rough is and how the winning score might be over par,” he said. “That just gets me more excited. I want to prove I can hang with the best on a course like that.”
Ahead of this week’s U.S. Open, Hastings and his caddy made a scouting trip to Oakmont for two full practice rounds. While he’s not setting specific goals for where he finishes, his mission is clear: play confidently and stay true to the style that got him here. “I try not to set position goals,” he said. “If you focus too much on other players and their scores, that’s when you lose sight of what matters—your own game.”
After his promising performance at the Masters, Hastings believes he’s ready for the next step. “The biggest thing Augusta taught me is that I belong. That I have the game to be out here,” he said. “Now I’m going into the U.S. Open full of belief. I’m excited to show what I can do.”
In a sport where confidence is as valuable as raw talent, Justin Hastings is stepping into golf’s biggest arenas with a calm mindset and a powerful sense of belonging. From faking sick as a child to walk Magnolia Lane, to now taking on Oakmont with belief and grit—his journey is a reminder that even dreams born in front of a TV screen can one day come to life.
