Virginia Tech junior Drew Weaver became the first American since 1972 to capture the British Amateur Championship. The victory earned him a spot in the 2008 Masters Tournament. The High Point, NC native is writing an exclusive, web-only diary for masters.org on his first experience as a Masters participant. Weaver was an on- campus witness to the horror of 32 Virginia Tech students being shot and killed last April. He rebounded to help lead his team to the ACC title.
Weaver is writing his daily diary during Tournament week. This is his third entry.
My second day of practice before the Masters Tournament was another great one, as I continue to build memories and course knowledge before Thursday’s first round.
I’ve played the course enough times so I feel like I don’t need 20-30 putts on every hole. I just hit a lot of specific shots today and worked on my angles.
I played a practice round with Jonathan Byrd, for nine holes, and with Stewart Cink which was really great. Stewart is one of the nicest players out here and just a great guy to hang around with so it was really a lot of fun.
Last summer at the British Open, I played a practice round with Stewart and he was very helpful and nice and offered to help me at the Masters.
One of the different things about practice rounds at the Masters is the number of photograph requests and autographs.
I want to be known as a player who is personable and approachable and nice to everybody, and that’s what I’m trying to do. I think it’s safe to say I’ve signed more autographs this week than my entire college career.
At the British Open, I signed a bunch, but nothing like this. I’m not sure what the price of a Drew Weaver autograph will be or if there will be one after this.
This morning, I had a nice breakfast with Stewart and Jonathan and then just worked on my short game on the range afterward. I’ve got my family and girlfriend and other people here, but I want to spend time working on my game as well.
One crisis I did have was my cell phone died Monday night, just totally fried. I have a feeling I’m missing a lot of messages, but maybe it’s a blessing in disguise I don’t have it.
After golf and practice, I relaxed and went to my parents rented house for dinner. The Champions Dinner was held in the upstairs library of the Clubhouse next to my room which was really neat.
One of the really cool things about this week has been staying in the Crow’s Nest with the other amateur, Michael Thompson. We’ve know each other through college golf and he being at Alabama and me at Virginia Tech, it seems like our teams play a lot of the same tournaments.
It’s pretty good up there with just Michael and me. We get along good, neither one of us is a snorer, so it’s pretty nice. There is a TV, but I just check the weather every morning and then go out for the day
Of course, I know about the great history of amateurs staying up there and I’ve also heard the stories about Tiger sneaking into the Champions Locker Room below when he was an amateur.
I saw my draw for the first two rounds and it’s pretty exciting. I’m playing with Jonathan Byrd again, which is great, and Raymond Floyd.
To be paired with a past Masters Champion like Mr. Floyd is great. I’ve never met him in person, but I’ve certainly seen him a lot on TV. He was certainly one of the greatest golfers of his time and that will add to the whole experience.
Tomorrow is the Par 3 Contest and my dad is caddying for me. I don’t see how it can get much better, but I guess it will. I don’t wish Thursday was here already for the first round. I’m just taking it all in and enjoying everything now.
