Harold Varner III

Harold Varner III holds up his ball after a birdie on the second hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament on Friday, April 8, 2022, ...

It's understandable that Varner wants to be known as more than a Black golfer. The PGA of America had a repulsive “Caucasian-only" rule until 1961. And Woods, in his first competitive tournament since a devastating car wreck 14 months ago, was in position to get through after an electrifying opening round. “I was messing with my caddie,” he said. It’s not going to be the color of their skin that’s going to get them here. Woods remains the only Black golfer to win a major championship. “Our culture is better,” Ridley said, sounding almost apologetic that it took so long. Varner hopes that his Masters debut will help to break down some of those barriers. If they’re white, I’m going to help them.” If they’re Black, I’m going to help them. This is an expensive sport to play. A quarter-century removed from Woods' historic first Masters victory, there are still far too few Black players in golf's pipeline.

Harold Varner III is making his debut at Augusta, but he's trying to treat this week's major like he does other PGA Tour events.

He carries with him the philosophy that “winning breeds winning” into the final two rounds and indicated that he hasn’t been interested in just hanging around to smell the azaleas. “I like doing that at regular tournaments, and I've only been in the locker room once to see if some shoes showed up, and I have to go back again. He is going to throw up on me, and it's going to be great.”

Gastonia native Harold Varner III discussed golfing with Michael Jordan, advice from Tiger Woods and the possibility of wearing a green jacket.

I just want to have a chance to win.” You just hold (my son), and you’re like, he doesn’t give a (expletive) if I have a green jacket or a gold jacket.” … I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. “He said, since I haven’t won, I’ve got to give him eight shots,” said Varner, a Jordan Brand athlete. Advice from Woods, a five-time Masters champion, helped him in that area. But I’ve gotten better at just understanding that I can play with anyone, and we’re doing that every time.”

Where is Harold Varner from? The latest score on the North Carolina golfer and ECU grad playing at 2022 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National in ...

“I think winning breeds winning,” he said. “You’re not going to hit it to the right and have a good shot to chip it in,” he said. Like, every time I play, I feel like I’m getting close and I’m going to build on that. “I knew, if I hit it to the left, I could chip it up there and have an easy par. “I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing. “The best experience is playing well,” he said.

Where is Harold Varner from? The latest score on the North Carolina golfer and ECU grad playing at 2022 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National in ...

“I think winning breeds winning,” he said. “You’re not going to hit it to the right and have a good shot to chip it in,” he said. Like, every time I play, I feel like I’m getting close and I’m going to build on that. “I knew, if I hit it to the left, I could chip it up there and have an easy par. “I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing. “The best experience is playing well,” he said.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — When it comes time, when the world is watching and his golf matters most, Harold Varner will decide what kind of symbol he'll be.

Where is Harold Varner from? The latest score on the North Carolina golfer and ECU grad playing at 2022 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National in ...

“I think winning breeds winning,” he said. “You’re not going to hit it to the right and have a good shot to chip it in,” he said. Like, every time I play, I feel like I’m getting close and I’m going to build on that. “I knew, if I hit it to the left, I could chip it up there and have an easy par. “I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing. “The best experience is playing well,” he said.

Harold Varner III holds up his ball after a birdie on the second hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament on Friday, April 8, 2022, ...

It's understandable that Varner wants to be known as more than a Black golfer. And Woods, in his first competitive tournament since a devastating car wreck 14 months ago, advanced to the weekend after an electrifying opening round. The PGA of America had a repulsive “Caucasian-only" rule until 1961. “I was messing with my caddie,” he said. It’s not going to be the color of their skin that’s going to get them here. Woods remains the only Black golfer to win a major championship. “Our culture is better,” Ridley said, sounding almost apologetic that it took so long. Varner hopes that his Masters debut will help to break down some of those barriers. If they’re white, I’m going to help them.” If they’re Black, I’m going to help them. This is an expensive sport to play. A quarter-century removed from Woods' historic first Masters victory, there are still far too few Black players in golf's pipeline.