Happy Thursday,

 

What a great day for Brad Benjamin during the opening round of the Masters. Despite problems with his driver for most of the day, the Rockford native scrambled better than an egg, grinding out a one-over 73 on Thursday.

 

Brad started well, outdriving his playing partners, Bernhard Langer and Scott Verplank, on No. 1.

 

Strong start: Brad made par on No. 1, followed by a birdie on the par-five No. 2. "Brad knows he can play with these guys," said his father, Steve.  

 

Touching moment: The first thing Brad did when he arrived at No. 1 was hug his parents and brother.

 

Touching moment II. Brad brought a smile to one young fan when he handed the boy a golf ball on No. 4.

 

There were at least 25 people from Rockford who walked the course during Brad's round. The Rockford group cheered loudly whenever Brad delivered a good shot or putt, especially when he drained a 20-foot putt to save a par on No. 14.

 

Good company: Before the tournament started on Thursday, Brad played practice rounds with Ben Crenshaw, Todd Hamilton and Larry Mize.

 

Tiger sighting: I finally saw Tiger, who was putting on the practice green before the start of his round. He was quiet and focused, looking almost nervous. He was surrounded by 5,000 or so fans, who didn't say a word, just watching his every move. Pardon the cliche, but he almost looked like a tiger caged at the zoo.

 

I saw a man hugging a tree during the Par Three contest on Wednesday. Why? I don't know.

 

I had my first Pimento Cheese sandwhich that I've always heard so much about at the Masters. It was thick and heavy; I hope my cardiologist doesn't find out about this.

 

Speaking of food, the menu at the Masters is reasonably priced. Sandwiches like Egg Salad are $1.50, and soft drinks are $1.50. Candy is a buck. The souvenirs? That's another story.  

 

Celebrity sightings: Former Pittsburgh Steelers Lynn Swann and Mark Malone, golfers Peter Jacobson and Fuzzy Zoeller, and author John Feinstein. Oh, and John Daly and his girlfriend, who were selling t-shirts and others memorabilia out of their RV, which was camped out in a retail parking lot just down the street from the golf course.  

 

Talk to you Friday.

 

Paul