OSU Junior Ethan Fang Is Preparing to Compete in the Masters This Week

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State golf has a long and storied tradition going back decades and junior Ethan Fang is looking to continue to add to the legacy. 

Fang is set to compete in the Masters this weekend as a result of him winning in the Amateur Championship last summer, the first American to win in 18 years and the first Cowboy since 1967. He followed that up with helping OSU win another national championship, earned First Team All-America status and was a member of the U.S. Walker Cup team, the U.S. Arnold Palmer Cup team and helped win a U.S. World Amateur team championship.

He’s also currently the eighth-ranked amateur in the world. 

Fang, who is one of six members of the OSU golf team competing, Viktor Hovland, Alex Noren, Sam Stevens, Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson and Wyndham Clark, spoke with the media following a practice session in Augusta, GA. on Monday. 

Q. Ethan, let's talk a little bit about the last couple days, playing for the Augusta Haskins Invitational at Forest Hills. What went into the decision to keep your schedule playing for Oklahoma State leading into the Masters? 

ETHAN FANG: Me and Coach talked about it a couple months before, and I think that's kind of the best way I prepare is playing tournaments and getting that competitive mindset. Yeah, obviously I wanted to help the team out. Can't let them down. I got second, came close. But I think that's the best way for me to prepare. 

Q. Obviously no golf course in the world can compare to Augusta National, but what about Forest Hills maybe - don't want to say helped you prepare for this, but how are you turning the page and getting ready for this week?

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, obviously it was pretty firm over at Forest Hills, so that's one good thing. They're going to get pretty firm here. But honestly, just all the funky lies I had at Forest Hills just makes it that much easier hitting an iron shot out here when there's not a single divot out there. 

Q. That tournament provides every player and coach a Monday practice round. You're making debut at the Masters and get to look at the gallery and see Preston and some of the other guys on your team. What is that experience like for you? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, it's really cool. I think it keeps me more loose out there seeing my friends goofing off over there, chirping me, but it's a good time, and I'm glad they're out there.

Q. What are some of the things they said, or did you hear anything good? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, they were just asking me for golf balls, just messing with me, just saying some stuff that might not be appropriate.

Q. You played with Rasmus? 1 know there's an Oklahoma connection there.

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, Coach set that up. I think I'm going to play with Viktor tomorrow.

Q. Have you talked to him before? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, he's always out at our home course at Oklahoma State, so we see him a good amount, and I kind of asked him some tips here and there.

Q. Like what?

ETHAN FANG: Just how the whole week goes. Just kind of little tips on how the wind kind of tricks you here and how it gets firm throughout the week.

Q. We were saying that with Rasmus, you Oklahoma players know about the wind, but this is a different wind? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, it blows a lot harder in Oklahoma but it's one direction. It doesn't switch on you every couple minutes.

Q. Do you have a shot that when you're nervous this week or a little uncomfortable over a shot that you just go to? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, I'd say it's just a little cut. I cut the ball pretty much on every shot. Yeah, it's definitely a go-to shot.

Q. What adjustments do you make in order to hit that? 

ETHAN FANG: Honestly, not much. It's a lot of feel, so it's kind of hard to describe what I do. But I just try to take a couple deep breaths and try to stay loose. 

Q. Obviously a goal of just about anyone here is to make the cut, especially for amateurs. Do you set yourself up for different expectations this week or how do you get the most out of this week from a personal level? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, for sure. I don't really like to set too many expectations going into the week. I feel like that can put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Obviously, my goal is to be low am for the week. That would be really cool, getting to go up there at the trophy presentation. But yeah, I'm going to go out there and just try to play my best, do my best, and see what happens. 

Q. What are the sleeping arrangements tonight in the Crow's Nest? It's a big night for amateurs, the amateur dinner. Do you have any insight on who's going to be up there with you? 

ETHAN FANG: Yeah, I talked to Mason [Howell] earlier. It's me and him. I'm not sure what Jackson [Herrington] is doing. But me and mason up there after the dinner, and it'll be fun.

Q. If there's one thing you could do that's completely non-golf related tonight, just to say hey, look what I got to do at the Crow's Nest on Monday night that you could tell friends and family for years to come 

ETHAN FANG: I don't know, hopefully we can get a couple guys over, maybe play some cards. I think that would be fun, just kind of talk and play some poker. That would be a good story.

Q. You can also lean on your Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith.

ETHAN FANG: Exactly, yeah.