AUGUSTA, GA – The Masters newest and, perhaps, happiest entrant, Johnson Wagner, was so excited after qualifying with his maiden win in Sunday’s Houston Open, he literally flew to the 2008 Tournament.
Wagner, 28, claimed the last spot this week with a two-shot win in the last PGA Tour event prior to this week’s Masters.
Fulfilling a lifetime dream with his win, Wagner and his wife Katie left their recreational vehicle in Houston and flew to Augusta late Sunday.
“I don’t care if I shoot 90 both days, I’m so happy to be here,” he said.
Wagner becomes the second Virginia Tech graduate to qualify for the 2008 Masters and joins current Hokie golfer Drew Weaver, who also qualified this year.
Holding the 54-hole lead in the Houston Open, Wagner stayed up late Saturday night to watch Masters highlights on TV.
“I had Masters thoughts all day long (Sunday),” he said.
“I thought about it the entire 18th hole, especially after we had to wait on the tee.”
While he has never played in the Masters and has never been to the Tournament, he did play Augusta National Golf Club three times over two days in the fall of 2003, thanks to his grandmother’s brother who is a member.
His best score was a one-under-par 71, including a hole-out on the par 4 14th hole for eagle.
He knows the task will be monumental compared to what he has faced in the past, but he is eager for the challenge.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do my entire life,” he said.
For a first-time player, Wagner already has a long list of things he wants to accomplish.
“I cannot wait to skip balls across the lake at 16 on the practice rounds. I want to play in the Par 3 Contest and I really, really want to make an eagle while I’m there and get some crystal Masters goblets,” he said.
Katie was just as excited about the last-minute change of plans, which necessitated postponing a family beachfront vacation.
“I’ve been watching the Masters, usually with my Dad, since I was this high,” she said with her hand close to the ground.
“I really hope he can come this year. He is an accountant and this is his crunch time, but he just has to make it.”
Another activity Wagner has planned is Masters shopping.
He wore a lime green shirt in his wire-to-wire two-shot Houston victory over Chad Campbell and ’08 Masters participant Geoff Ogilvy.
Wagner said he may need to stock up on some additional green clothes for what he hopes will be an extended stay.
“I used to wear green every Friday as my cut making clothes, but that let me down last year. So now, I just wear lime green on Sunday,” he laughed.
In less than a week, Wagner hopes to be wearing a green of perhaps of a slightly darker color, but for now he is dreaming of a week of lifetime memories.
Before his win, Wagner had scheduled a family vacation with a Nationwide Tour friend, which included playing golf and watching the Masters on TV, dreaming about the day they would play.
Now, the dream is here so when Wagner drove down Magnolia Lane Monday morning, he couldn’t wait to get started on his Masterful week. Let the adventure begin.
