He might be golf’s next big thing, but when it comes to Augusta National, Christo Lamprecht has a small, and unique, problem.

Lamprecht is one of five amateurs competing in this week’s Masters, his invitation earned by winning last year’s Amateur Championship. But the 23-year-old South African is entering the tournament with more publicity than most players with an (a) next to their name thanks to his performance last July at the Open Championship, where he shared the lead after the first round at Royal Liverpool. Success from college to the professional level is far from guaranteed and not necessarily linear, yet Lamprecht’s power (he hit a 418-yard drive in a DP World Tour event last year) has many golf observers salivating at what he will do once he turns pro.

While that decision may be coming shortly, Lamprecht will get to enjoy some of the spoils conferred by his amateur status this week, including sleeping Monday night in Augusta National’s famed Crow’s Nest. That dream scenario poses a bit of an issue for Lamprecht, however.

Lamprecht stands in at 6 feet, 8 inches, a frame that bestows much of that noted muscle. Great for his golf game, not so much for sleeping arrangements.

“No,” Lamprecht said, when asked if the bed is big enough for him. “There’s very few places in America that have a bed big enough for me, but I’ve gotten used to that. It’s probably the best uncomfortable sleep I’ll ever have in my life.”

Lamprecht also has the amateur dinner on Monday night, and as one who purposefully never visited Augusta National—wanting only to come as a competitor—he’s doing everything he can to live this week to its fullest.

“It’s really a special thing to be a part of,” Lamprecht said. “It’s already tough enough to play the Masters as a professional and even harder to play it as an amateur. I really am privileged just to be here and taking it all in. The Crow’s Nest is going to be fun. Only night I’ll be staying here, but I’m looking forward to it. Just sitting around with a bunch of amateurs and talking about our experiences and stuff, just being little kids in a toy store.”

Image: Luke Walker