I had my Masters tickets canceled in a shocking case of stolen identity… and now I’ve been banned from ever attending Augusta National
Getting their hands on a coveted ticket to attend the Masters is every golf fan’s dream, but for one, it swiftly became a nightmare.
Josh Knauer, a social media user on X, revealed he had managed to obtain a golden – or, in this case, green – ticket to attend the first major championship of the year at Augusta National.
But what was supposed to be his entry into the cathedral of pines swiftly opened the gates of golf hell following a series of misfortunate events.
Knauer took to social media Monday to issue a desperate plea, sharing his tragic tale alongside a photo of himself beaming as he clutched a Masters green ticket envelope.
He claimed that he was supposed to be at the famous course alongside his wife, brother and friend this week as the biggest names in golf battled for the Green Jacket.
Knauer said that he had won the tickets in the 2025 Masters lottery and paid for them last July.
Josh Knauer, a social media user on X, claimed to have had his Masters tickets cancelled
Knauer claimed that he received an email informing him that he had listed them for resale
Leave for work had been approved, childcare and travel had been arranged. He was all set to carry out the hallowed pilgrimage.
But all that changed on March 25 when he allegedly received an email from Augusta National bearing the bad news: His tickets had been cancelled.
‘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,’ the email read, according to Knauer.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Augusta National for comment.
The South Carolina native said he was ‘floored’ as he claimed to have no idea of the alleged situation.
‘I have never and would never sell Masters tickets. I had no idea what they were talking about – and still don’t to this day,’ he wrote. ‘I called the office and they confirmed the letter. They wouldn’t give me any information and told me all I could do was appeal via mail.’
Knauer claimed that he had never shared online, or even among his own social circles, that he had won tickets in the lottery and as soon as they arrived, they had been hidden away behind lock and key.
Yet, in a bid to restore favor with the gods of golf, Knauer said he began his appeal – and this is when things took a twist.
Scottie Scheffler will look to defend his title down at Augusta National this week
Knauer said he was supposed to be a the prestigious golf course to watch the tournament
He claimed he had been made aware of a fake Facebook profile in his likeness, which has since been reported and removed. He shared a screenshot of the alleged profile, showing it had one friend on the social media platform and was a member of ‘THE GOLF MASTERS TOURNAMENT TICKETS UPDATE’ page.
‘I had zero knowledge of this profile, and I still have no idea how they knew I had tickets. I don’t know what their fraud plan was – considering they didn’t physically have tickets or even an picture,’ Knauer wrote.
‘Heck, I don’t even know if this is the source of the letter. I’m just guessing.’
In a desperate effort, he added the fraudulent profile to his appeal alongside text messages showing evidence of travel arrangements and even his tickets in the hope it would boost his manifesto.
He alleged that he personally drove down to Augusta National to hand deliver his appeal, yet two days before the tournament begins multiple phone calls and emails have gone unanswered.
‘I understand the response from their perspective – they believe I broke their rules,’ Knauer admitted.
Knauer acknowledged that, at this stage of Masters week, his cause is a lost one. All he is hoping for now is closure.
‘At this point I clearly am not attending the Masters as originally planned,’ Knauer wrote. ‘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.
Knauer alleged that he was informed of a fake Facebook profile impersonating him
‘I feel that I haven’t done anything wrong at any point – and even after receiving the letter I have tried to follow the appeal process only to not hear anything back. I know it is the busiest time of the year for the club – but I truly don’t understand why this has all happened.
‘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. I’m an open book – I have nothing to hide and just want the opportunity to prove innocence in a giant misunderstanding.’
As judge, jury and executioner, Augusta National is, understandably, diligent over access to its prestigious event – one of the most desired in sport.
In 2020, a Georgia man was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a scheme that used stolen identities to obtain tickets to the Masters.
Federal prosecutors said Stephen Michael Freeman of Athens, and three family members in Texas sold those tickets for a profit.
The prosecutors said the family used stolen IDs from 2013-17 to cheat the lottery system that distributes tournament tickets and to circumvent Augusta National’s rules allowing people to apply only once to enter its ticket lottery.
