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 fourth entry.

While it's just about 12 hours until my first competitive Masters round, I’m really excited to be where I am at this point.

I feel like I’ve played a lot of rounds here, had a good week of practice, and I’m really at ease.

My goal for the first round is to concentrate on hitting good shots, take it one shot at a time, and don’t press. There are some holes you can easily bogey, but don’t press on the next hole, go for a birdie, and end up making a double.

I took it pretty easy this morning, tried to sleep in a little bit, and then woke up and had a good breakfast. You definitely work up an appetite walking the course, so you need your food before you go out.

I played nine holes in the morning with Johnson Wagner and David Toms again. We played the back nine to get one more look at it, but just had a casual round.

After a quick pasta lunch, the most exciting thing I did Wednesday was the Par 3 Contest.

I was a little nervous at first because I didn’t realize how close the people were to the holes. I think my main goal was just not to hurt anybody.

My first shot on No. 1 was great with all the people around. It looked good, but checked up a bit short. I did make one birdie on the sixth hole and finished one over, so it was a good day.

The best thing about the Par 3 Contest was I got to have my dad, John, caddie for me. I mean, he’s the reason I started playing golf as a kid and to be together for nine holes was great.

My parents surprised me Tuesday night by having my favorite pasta dinner catered in from a place in North Carolina that I love.

At the Par 3 Contest, we spent a lot of time talking with my (playing partner) Virginia Tech friend Johnson (Wagner) and his brother (caddy) T.J., just drinking in the experience.

I also got to play in the Par 3 Contest with past Masters Champion Mike Weir. I’m telling you, he has a great wedge game, so it was a lot of fun to play with him. On the first tee box, he started bouncing the ball off his club multiple times so you know he’s really good with the wedge.

After the Par 3 Contest, I just did a little extra putting to get ready. Today, you could feel the course drying out and you know it will be Tournament speed by Thursday.

There was a light buffet dinner hosted by the club Wednesday night that my girl friend and I attended, then I just turned in for a early night.

I really feel like I caught a break by playing late Thursday and early Friday. That way, I can get up Thursday and not feel rushed; then when I play on Friday, cut day, I will be out early before the winds and the course won’t be marked up.

I’m not one to put a lot of advance expectations on myself before a tournament starts. I think I have the ability to compete and contend. I just want to get on that leader board and take it from there.

Making the cut is not going to be my focus because then I don’t give myself a chance to contend.

Other than making sure my ball mark is a quarter from the ‘60s, I have a lot of good luck charms. It’s just going to be an incredible experience, one I can’t wait to enjoy.