Suns out, guns out at Masters? Nah, KC’s Harry Higgs plans to keep shirt on in Augusta

Harry Higgs will tee it up in his first Masters at Augusta National Golf Club this week, and what an opportunity he’s earned after his top-five finish in his first major championship — last May’s PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

It’s been Higgs’ dream to play in the Masters since he was a kid growing up in Kansas City. He and his parents moved here when he was 10.

One might wonder how the Blue Valley North High School product will stay present and grounded as he’s literally playing out his dream, but he sounds ready to find out — and ready to enjoy the experience.

“You only have to be present, very briefly, before you have to hit a shot: Where do I want this ball to end up, and how am I going to get it there? That’s probably the extent of it,” he said. “As long as I can just focus on where I want my ball to go and how the heck I want to get it there, I think you can, as you’re walking around after you hit a shot, look around and take in the moment and soak it all in and appreciate all the hard work that it took from myself and others to get me to this point.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. You don’t have to be a robot.”

Of course not. And Higgs’ gregarious nature has been a hit with fans throughout his three years on the PGA Tour. After his experience in February’s Phoenix Open, when he tore off his shirt for the typically raucous crowd at TPC Scottsdale, fans have seemed to appreciate his willingness to go with the flow.

The unscripted shirtless moment at TPC Scottsdale went viral and was the talk of golf for a while. But veteran golf broadcaster Andy North joked during an ESPN conference call last week that if Higgs strips off his shirt on the 16th hole at Augusta like he did in Scottsdale, he’ll be kicked out and looking for a ride along nearby Washington Road.

That’s unlikely to happen. Higgs expressed reverence for this week’s setting, and that’s the perspective he’ll be keeping during his first foray at Augusta National.

“I think there’s one hole and one tournament one time in your career where that would be something that people would laugh at and think was funny,” he said. “I didn’t even want to do it when I was playing the hole (at the Phoenix Open), but the moment just got to me.”

Another thing he plans to keep an eye on this week: His choice of words.

“I can sometimes get frustrated and curse here and there on the course,” he said. ”I’m curious if I’ll even allow myself to curse at Augusta. It has that much magic and is so revered.

“I might not even curse the entire week. So if I’m thinking about not cursing, I can guarantee you that I’m thinking about keeping all of my clothing items on.”

In all seriousness, North and other golf luminaries are happy to see the 30-year-old Masters rookie making his debut at Augusta this week.

“I think as a fan, Harry would be a fun guy to follow (on the course),” North said.

”You know, I really like the guy just because he’s got this persona — shirt is unbuttoned,” veteran ESPN broadcaster Scott Van Pelt said. “He’s got game, though. I want to make it clear: I like the personality, but he’s not some bozo. Like, the guy can play. I’m excited for him (this week).”

Higgs is certainly excited for the opportunity, too, but he knows he’ll need to manage that excitement once he’s competing on one of the most hallowed courses in the game.

“The part that I’m looking forward to the most is the feelings that I’m going to have, the excitement the anticipation, the feelings, the adrenaline, all of that,” he said. “I have felt it to what I thought was the highest degree — trying to make contact with the golf ball on 16 at Scottsdale. It’s extremely difficult. Just get the thing airborne. It’s really hard to do.”

Indeed, golf is about calming the nerves and then performing at a very high level. Higgs enters this week’s competition seeking his first win on the PGA Tour, and he has been close a handful of times.

He’d love for it to happen in Georgia, on one of golf’s biggest stages.

“I’ve had a couple chances to win and playing the last couple holes where you have to hit a shot close, and your body is shaking,” Higgs said. “Anybody who says they aren’t nervous is just flat-out lying.

“I would imagine the first tee on Thursday, fortunately I’ll have my sunglasses on so you will fortunately not be able to tell, but I’m sure I’ll be pretty amped up and pretty nervous.”

Garrett Johnston is a golf journalist who’s covered over 30 major championships. His podcast “Beyond the Clubhouse” features star players, caddies and broadcasters. Follow him on Twitter @JohnstonGarrett.

This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.