Thomas Pieters’ strong start at the Masters shouldn’t be a surprise

If you don’t recognize the new leader of the 2017 Masters’ name, well, you best learn quickly. Chances are you’ll be hearing it often for the next 20 years across professional golf.

At just 25 years old, the Belgian has risen to the top of the second-round leaderboard at Augusta National in his first ever Masters appearance — and just third major championship start ever. A quick eagle-birdie sequence on the 13th and 14th pulled him dead even with Sergio Garcia and Charley Hoffman atop the leaderboard, and he’ll have ample opportunity to take the solo lead coming down the stretch.

If he’s able to steady the ship, he’ll put himself in prime position to be in among the final couple of pairings tomorrow. And you shouldn’t expect the Belgian to fall away. He’s got the talent to stick around through the weekend — no question.

Pieters’ pedigree is one of a major champion, and he’s got a backstory that sounds something like fellow young stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. He won the NCAA’s individual national championship in 2013 at Illinois, before turning professional a year early. After a couple solid-but-unspectacular years to start his professional career, Pieters’ big breakout came just last year in 2016. He made major championship cuts in his first two starts at the Open Championship and the PGA, but his big break came at the Olympics last August. Pieters entered the weekend atop the leaderboard, but stumbled to a fourth place finish just off the medal stand.

But that mild disappointment would beget big-time rewards. A win and second-place finish in the following weeks after Rio helped him play his way into the final spot on Darren Clarke’s European Ryder Cup team — where Pieters truly introduced himself to the worldwide golf audience. Pairing with Rory McIlroy, the two young European bombers teamed up for the defining matchup of the 2016 event with Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth. McIlroy came away impressed with Pieters’ steely resolve playing the heel.

“All the credit has to go to this guy, Ryder Cup rookie, and he’s taken to it like a natural,” McIlroy added. “He’s been incredible all day. Even the way he played in the morning in the foursomes and what he did out there this afternoon, he’s a stud.”

Darren Clarke was far more complimentary — comparing Pieters to, yes, Tiger Woods.

“I’ve been on tour for a long time and I’ve seen massive talent come along,” Clarke said. “I played with Tiger Woods when he was an amateur in the Open. I’ve seen Rory McIlroy up close since he was a very young kid. Thomas Pieters impresses me in the same league as those guys. He has that amount of talent.”

Can Pieters hang around and win his first major at Augusta this week? There’s no reason why not. He’s already turned in a couple of high finishes at big time events this year, and his otherworldly length off the tee should remind you of one Dustin Johnson in World Number One’s absence.