AUGUSTA, GEORGIA | Two rounds into his first Masters and near the top of the leaderboard, Harold Varner III would find it easy to get engulfed by the weekend awaiting him.
As the father of a 6-month-old son, Varner has a built-in reality check.
“I can’t wait to see my kid,” Varner said as the wind whipped around him Friday afternoon. “He’s probably going to throw up on me. It’s awesome.”
Varner’s appearance on the big white scoreboards scattered around Augusta National after rounds of 71-71 is validation of his faith in his game and his growing comfort level on big stages, as illustrated earlier this year with his dramatic victory in the Saudi International.
The fact that Varner is one of three Black players in this Masters (along with Tiger Woods and Cameron Champ) adds another layer to his story. The day is getting closer, it seems, when Varner isn’t asked about being a Black golfer, but that day hasn’t arrived.
Varner says he has sought advice from Tiger Woods. Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
For years, Varner...
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