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A lot is happening at Augusta National. But beyond the usual names, patrons have noticed another presence, Michael McDermott, a member of Augusta National. Why is an ANGC member playing at Augusta National? Well, the answer to that question comes from the field cut itself and McDermott’s role at Augusta National. But what is it exactly?

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It all started in 2022. Back then, Michael McDermott replaced Jeff Knox as a marker. In the Masters, a marker, who is a member of Augusta National, plays when there is an odd number of players. A marker is introduced on the first tee but does not keep score. Additionally, his caddie’s jumpsuit does not display his name. For over 20 years, Augusta National member Jeff Knox served as a marker. Family sources revealed that Knox learned before the 2021 Masters that McDermott would assume that role. And that was when Michael McDermott played at Augusta National for the first time in 2023, where he was playing partner to Mike Weir.

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The 2025 Masters Tournament is again seeing an oddball, which is why the reason why Michael McDermott is once again playing at Augusta National. Now, McDermott will be teeing off with Tom Kim in the third round. According to a report from 2003, McDermott holds a +1.8 handicap and constantly drives the ball over 300 yards into the fairway! And, according to Weir at the 2023 Masters, “His game is good; he’s got a good game.” Well, we don’t doubt that. And even if McDermott does not keep his score this time, we hope the patrons keep a note of his game!

But the Philadelphia resident, Michael McDermott, is an interesting man in his own right. First and foremost, Michael McDermott is an accomplished amateur golfer. He even played for his university, St. Joseph’s University, and is one of the Athletic Hall of Fame members. Aside from that, he was the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Player of the Year five times (2000-2008). Interestingly, his father was also a strong amateur golfer and served as the president of the Golf Association of Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005! However, did you know his interest lies somewhere else?

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Michael McDermott graduated from his university in 1997 with a degree in finance. Despite his amazing achievements at the university, he never seriously followed through with the sport. So, what did he do? Well, he followed along in his father’s footsteps and made business the other important part of his life. On that note, did you know that the Augusta marker is also the CEO of a financial company?

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Michael McDermott’s life outside the golf course

Michael McDermott is the CEO of Kathmere Capital Management, a company that is based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. According to the official website, with 25 years of experience under his belt, McDermott handles the company’s vision and manages key client relationships. And he is also said to belong to Pine Valley and Merion, two of the most prestigious golf clubs in America.

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Aside from being a CEO, McDermott also helps manage other golf-related firms. For instance, he is one of the founders of The GolfBridge Society, which helps mentor junior golfers in the Philadelphia area. Aside from that, he serves as one of the board members of the esteemed Cobbs Creek Foundation. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to restoring the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia. So, plenty of things keep the Augusta marker busy outside the course!

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Sudha Kumari

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Sudha Kumari is a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports, where she brings over 700 bylines of in-depth coverage on the sport’s biggest stages. With a Master’s in English Literature and a storyteller’s eye for detail, she thrives on translating leaderboard drama into compelling narratives. Her live reporting during the 2025 Masters, when Rory McIlroy stumbled on the cusp of his career Grand Slam, remains one of her defining contributions to golf journalism. A close student of both historical rivalries and present-day momentum shifts, Sudha makes sure her readers are never just informed, but immersed in the action. A lifelong golf fan who grew up analyzing swings as closely as sentences, Sudha believes today’s “dark horses” are tomorrow’s legends. She balances coverage of icons with sharp observations on emerging talent, keeping her finger firmly on the pulse of golf’s future. When she isn’t dissecting tournament trends, she’s digging into player backstories, convinced that the heart of golf lies not only in the numbers on the scorecard but also in the resilience behind each shot.

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Ridhiman Das

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