The leaderboard on Thursday at the Masters is often vastly different than the leaderboard on Sunday. Each hole counts the same, however, and a few under-the-radar names are already starting to position themselves as potential contenders.
An Byeong-hun was the early star of the 2024 Masters, which began with a brief weather delay. An started the day with three consecutive birdies, heading to the fourth hole at 3-under par. While he would bogey the fifth hole, An put himself right back toward the top of the leaderboard with birdies at No. 6 and No. 8.
Byeong Hun An makes a lengthy birdie putt on No. 6 to move into a tie for the lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/oYlgkne4dG
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024
An wasn't alone, as Bryson DeChambeau and Ryan Fox also started with three consecutive birdies. Along with An, they became the first trio of golfers to begin the first round of the Masters with three consecutive birdies.
Could An solidify himself as an unlikely contender in the days ahead? Here's a look at An's background and how he's fared in previous Masters appearances.
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Who is An Byeong-hun?
An was born in Seoul, South Korea, but he moved to the U.S. to pursue golf when he was 14. The commitment quickly paid off, as An became the youngest player to ever win the U.S. Amateur in 2009, doing so at 17.
An turned professional in 2011, though he hasn't spent his entire pro career on the PGA Tour. He lost his PGA Tour card in 2021 before recovering from a slump and earning his way back to the national stage. An was able to qualify for the Open Championship in 2023, snapping a two-year drought without a major appearance, and he did well for himself by finishing tied for 23rd on the final leaderboard.
An doesn't have a PGA Tour win in his career, though he has finished as a runner-up five times. That makes any kind of contention at Augusta a remarkable story, with An going up against the best golfers in the world in the most prestigious tournament.
This year's Masters, An's first since 2020, offers him a special incentive to perform: his family. An's wife and two young children are in Augusta to support him, the first time the entire family has been able to see him compete at the Masters.
"It will be my first time with them which makes it even better," An told pgatour.com leading up to the Masters. "I wish to put up a good showing. It is never easy going into the Masters but I feel great."
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Has An Byeong-hun won a major?
An has not won a major in his career. It took him some time to become a regular qualifier for majors, as he first qualified for three in 2010 but didn't make it into a major again until the 2014 Open Championship.
An qualified for at least three majors each year from 2015-20, but a slump knocked him out of all four majors in 2022 and three in 2023.
The 2019 U.S. Open was the best major of An's career, as he finished 16th at Pebble Beach. He has four top-25 major finishes in his career.
Needless to say, An winning the Masters or even entering the final day in contention would be a tremendous story. Anything can happen at Augusta National, and it's clear An showed up prepared to compete with such a red-hot start on Thursday.
An Byeong-hun PGA Tour suspension
An was suspended for three months by the PGA Tour in late 2023. He tested positive for a banned substance, which was found to be in a cough medicine sold in South Korea.
A suspension of any kind was poorly timed for An, who experienced a bit of a career resurgence in late 2023 and was set up well for a better 2024, but he was able to move past the ban and qualify for the Masters by ranking top 50 in the world golf rankings.
If Thursday's start at the Masters is any indication, An might be here to stay. Just a top-15 finish alone at Augusta would be the best major finish in An's career.
