Baby-faced Cam Young unrecognizable without beard as he chases Masters history

Apr 12, 2026 - 14:45

Cameron Young heads into the final day of the 2026 Masters tied with Rory McIlory at the top of the leaderboard.

The American swooped in as the defending champion squandered a historic six-shot lead in a remarkable third round at Augusta National.

Cameron Young of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 — Young and his signature beard stormed into the lead at the 2026 Masters on Saturday

McIlroy made a slow start and dropped three shots in two holes around Amen Corner, which allowed recently-crowned Players champion Young to charge from eight behind and take the clubhouse lead with a stunning seven-under 65.

The World No. 2 did respond with back-to-back birdies from the 14th, and eventually pulled back to share the top of the leaderboard as play concluded.

Sunday promises to be dramatic, with Sam Burns a shot off the pace in third, and Shane Lowry, Jason Day and Justin Rose close behind.

Young now has a chance to pick up the biggest win of his career, if he can best defending champion McIlroy in his quest for the green jacket.

As he makes his way around Augusta National, the 28-year-old has once again been sporting the glorious beard for which he has become known.

He might already look a member of the PGA Tour‘s grizzled old guard, but his recent Players win and shock Masters lead is a reminder of the rapid rise for a golfer who was 22 when he made his tour debut at the 2019 US Open.

Cam Young unrecognizable without signature beard

Seven years ago, that beard was little more than stubble, and Young barely resembled the man that held his nerve to charge into the clubhouse lead at the Masters this weekend.

And should you chart his look back more than a decade, the baby-faced American becomes entirely unrecognizable.

Long before turning professional, Young was selected to represent his country in both the Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Golf World Cup in 2014.

Images from Blairgowrie Golf Club in Perth, Scotland, where the Ryder Cup was held, show the teen tearing it up on the course.

A portrait of Cameron Young of Team USA during the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup of Previews on September 20, 2014 — A teenage Young featured on the US Team at the Junior Ryder Cup in 2014

Cameron Young of USA in action during final day Singles matches at the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club on September 23, 2014 — He was a long way off growing out the iconic beard

Davis Riley and Cameron Young (L), of Team USA react after winning their match in the foursomes during the first round of the 2014 Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club on September 22, 2014 in Perth, Scotland. — Young (L) and the US team beat Europe in the competition that year

He was part of a US squad that beat Europe 16-8 that year.

Flash forward nearly a decade, and Young had a breakout 2022 season at the age of 25.

He finished runner-up at The Open Championship at St. Andrews that year, and tied for third at the PGA Championship.

By that point in his career, the beard had fully grown in, and Young was on his way to become a star of the tour.

Clean-shaven Cam Young turned heads at PGA Championship

His facial hair, or lack of it, has actually made headlines over the years.

At the PGA Championship in 2023, Young surprised fans by rocking up to Oak Hill Country Club without his majestic beard.

Cameron Young of the United States speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club — Young shocked fans when he returned to the PGA Championship beardless in 2023

Cameron Young of the United States walks on the 14th green during the second round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on May 19, 2023 — The facial hair has become a staple of his look

The reason for that clean-shaven appearance had nothing to with his golf, and was encouraged by wife Kelsey Dalition.

“Honestly, my wife just kind of said, why don’t you shave. It wasn’t like… I don’t think I looked terrible. I don’t know,” he told reporters at the time.

“I haven’t been clean-shaven probably since our first son was born (in July 2022).”

With the beard back three years later, Young has already been victorious at the Players and is now in contention for the biggest win of his life at Augusta National.

Cameron Young of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 — Young is in contention for the biggest win of his career at Augusta National

If he’s a superstitious man in any way, expect him to rock that now-famous facial hair in every major tournament moving forward.

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