The momentous ride for Costa Rica’s 16-year-old golf star Paul Chaplet came to an end Friday in the second round of the Masters tournament when the high school student from Santa Ana failed to qualify for Saturday’s Round 3.
After a tough opening round that saw him finish in last place alongside 88 of the world’s best golfers, Chaplet struggled to get it going again Friday, finishing 10-over-par on the day and completing a two-day scorecard of 21-over-par.
Friday’s display did show some improvement from Thursday as the Costa Rican converted a pair of birdies on holes 2 and 9. However, the young golfer couldn’t establish much rhythm on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia as he racked up three double bogeys on the day. On the historic Amen Corner, the nickname given for the first shots on holes 11, 12, and 13, Chaplet bookended with a pair of bogeys but achieved par on the 12th hole.
Amateur Paul Chaplet after going 83-82. "It's a lot harder than it looks." #Masters
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) April 8, 2016
To make the cut for Round 3, a golfer has to be ranked within the top 50 spots of the leaderboard. Chaplet, who has only been playing golf for six years, finished 89th.
There’s no shame in the performance for Chaplet, who is the second youngest participant to ever tee off at golf’s biggest event. The amateur golfer who attends St. Mary’s School has narrowed down his college wish list to four schools: San Diego State, University of Arizona, Sam Houston State, and University of Minnesota.
Chaplet became the first Costa Rican to qualify for the Masters when he won the Latin American Amateur Championship in January.
