South Carolina golf fan banned from The Masters after having identity stolen, tickets revoked

Augusta National Golf Club has banned a fan from attending The Masters and revoked his tickets for this year’s event over a case of stolen identity. Josh Knauer, a golf fan from South Carolina, wrote in a social media post that he won tickets for the 2025 Masters through the official lottery.

He paid for the tickets in July 2024 and received them about a month out from the tournament, which begins Thursday. On March 25, however, Augusta National sent him an email informing him of the following: “It has come to our attention you listed your tickets for sale with a third-party. Therefore be advised your tickets have been cancelled and your name has been removed from future consideration.”

I was supposed to be at the Masters today. Instead, due to a baffling mix of fraud and/or misunderstanding, I had my tickets cancelled and am currently banned from attending again. Here's my story – and a plea for help🧵 pic.twitter.com/L3ovy2tRYB

— Josh Knauer (@jknauer42) April 7, 2025

While Knauer was working on his appeal letter, he discovered something strange — a fake Facebook profile had been made in his likeness. He informed Augusta National of the fake account in his appeal letter, outlining his entire story. Knauer sent his tickets back to “prove my innocence.” Knauer has yet to hear back from Augusta National.

Here's where things take a twist:

As I was working on my appeal letter, I was informed of a fake Facebook profile in my likeness (I covered my wife + kid's faces for their privacy).

I was blocked from seeing this profile. It has since been reported + removed. pic.twitter.com/oXnFmFvqaa

— Josh Knauer (@jknauer42) April 7, 2025

“I drove this down to Augusta and dropped it off at their PO Box on March 27th,” Knauer wrote. “I’ve called the ticketing office multiple times as well as emailed tournament contacts. Nothing. I understand the response from their perspective – they believe I broke their rules.”

He added, “At this point I clearly am not attending the Masters as originally planned. Which is devastating, but a reality. I am focused on trying to resolve the misunderstanding and prove my innocence so I can hopefully attend at some point in the future.”

Golf fan claims stolen identity as reason for Masters ban

Knauer planned to attend Monday’s practice round with his wife, brother and friend. He issued one final plea, hoping for someone to help him get in touch with Augusta National.

“Here’s my plea for help: If anyone sees this and can help put my appeal letter in the right hands – I would love to have the conversation,” Knauer wrote. “I’m an open book. I have nothing to hide and just want the opportunity to prove innocence in a giant misunderstanding.”

Knauer’s X thread went viral Monday afternoon. Odds of winning The Masters lottery are 0.55% and Knauer got lucky. It’s understandable why he’s upset.

The Masters will go on as planned with Round 1 on Thursday. Round 1 officially starts at 7:40 a.m. ET with Davis Riley and Patton Kizzire teeing off.