American golfer Scott Stallings’ invite to compete at this year’s Masters took a little longer than expected to arrive after it was sent to another man by the same name.
Invitations were sent to eligible players the week before Christmas, when club chairman Fred Ridley announced the criteria would be unchanged from the previous year. Pro golfer Stallings said he had been checking his mailbox “five times a day” in anticipation of receiving the coveted green envelope when he received an Instagram message via social media from the other Stallings solved the mystery:
“Hi Scott. My name is Scott Stallings as well and I’m from Georgia,” the man wrote.
“My wife’s name is Jennifer too! I received a FedEx today from the Masters inviting me to play in the Masters Tournament April 6-9, 2023. I’m 100% sure this is NOT for me. I play but wow! Nowhere near your level.
“It’s a very nice package complete with everything needed to attend,” he added.
“I think we have some confusion because of our names, our wife’s names and geographical location.”
The man later posted a video showing him mailing the invitation on to the pro golfer while feigning disappointment.
Stallings guesses that the mix-up occurred because he previously had a sports management company that had an office in St. Simons Island. The other man’s condo is next to the office building, and Stallings can only assume the delivery person figured that’s where the invitation belonged.
The 37-year-old pro golfer Stallings is ranked 54th in the world. He is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, his most recent victory came at the Farmers Insurance Open in 2014. His best result at Augusta National came in 2012 when he tied for 27th.
