J.J. Watt fulfilled a dream.
The NFL legend got to play at the Augusta National Golf Club just a day after the Masters concluded and his scores surprised everyone.
Playing after Rory McIlroy’s historic green jacket victory on Sunday, Watt was part of a string of celebrities who were seen at Augusta.
As a result he got to take to the course for a round of golf and it’s safe to say he’ll be satisfied with his showing.
Watt is a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Burnley co-owner.
But on Monday he may have discovered another sport he excels at.
Watt played from the member tees, which is way shorter than what McIlroy played from — the former NFL defender estimated it’s about 1,1100 yards further forward than the tees played during the Masters.
The former Texans star claimed to have shot a 103 with no gimme putts, no free drops and having to put the ball in the cup on every hole.
The pin placements were in the same spot that they were in during the final round of the Masters, Watt said.
To better understand Watt’s score, Nick Dunlap shot an 18-over 90 at Augusta National last Thursday in the first round of the 2025 Masters.
Watt’s score was just 13-over that mark.
Dunalp’s score was one of the worst first-round scores ever at the Masters and it left him furious.
“It’s frustrating,” Dunalp told reporters after his poor showing.
“There’s a lot of anger. It’s hard to put everything you have into something and feel like you’re not getting any better.”
Unlike Dunlap, Watt was delighted with his score.
“Extremely pleased with that result,” Watt posted on X.
“What an unbelievable experience at an unbelievable place. Very grateful.”
He also added that he made one par in the round, which was on the first hole.
The score is quite remarkable — to shoot a 103 at Augusta under the circumstances he listed is incredible for any casual golfer.
For Watt to shoot 31-over par on the course where McIlroy completed the career grand slam — even playing 1,100 yards further forward — he can be very proud of himself.
Watt exceeded his own expectations, as a day prior he wrote a seemingly ominous prediction for his score.
“I’m gonna shoot 150 tomorrow. I don’t see any way I’m under that number,” Watt said.
He certainly was.
Watt revealed that he was going to play at Augusta after the Masters last month.
At the time, he told everyone he is roughly a 25-handicap and hadn’t picked up a golf club in over a year.
“How much better at golf can you get in one month? I may set the Augusta National record… (not the good one),” Watt posted on X.
It seems you can get a lot better in one month.
