Michigan Golf Journal May 2022

exemption into the Arnold Palmer Invitational to get a feel for playing alongside the professionals, before he got to Augusta. With two rounds of 78-78 he missed the 36-hole cut but got a taste of what is like to compete against the best golf professionals on the planet. Piot at the Masters As a member of the Spartan’s Golf Team, James Piot understands what an honor and privilege it is to play at Augusta National in the Masters. “I’m trying to be a kid as much as I can still. That’s what I’m telling people. It’s tough to do and it’s a big transition mentally as you’re playing next to golf’s greats, but I think I’ve done a good job of handling it. You can always be better, that’s my mentality in life.” He met Tiger Woods, played a practice round with long-hitting Bryson DeChambeau and tried to soak up the atmosphere that surrounds Augusta National. With rounds of 81-74, Piot missed the cut and did not play on the weekend but made a lifetime of memories competing in his first MastersTournament. Through all of this fanfare, Piot has remained grounded and is ready to complete his final season at MSU. “Through my time at Michigan State, I have met many extraordinary people and I can only hope that moving forward to my professional career I can have the same luck.” After the NCAA Championships, Piot plans to turn professional and try to make it to the PGA Tour full time. We are certain the lessons he learned and experiences he had while at MSU will come in handy competing in the demanding professional world of golf.

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