Hard Work Starting To Pay Off

Masters Champion Larry Mize is writing an exclusive, web-only, weekend diary for Masters.com on his experiences in his 26th Masters Tournament. The 1987 Masters Champion, who grew up in Augusta and now lives in Columbus, Georgia, shot his second even-par or better score Saturday in front of family and friends on the course where he once worked on the hand-operated scoreboard as a junior.

After shooting an even-par 72 Saturday, I felt I really played well and I think my even par total, is proof that the work on my game I’ve been doing is paying off.

I came here this weekend playing well and working hard. I was really working to play better this year and maybe have a chance to win the Tournament, so I’m not completely surprised I’m playing better.

I probably needed to shoot better than even par to do that, but it’s just so much fun to have my family and friends here for the week. Nothing matches that during the year, and to be playing well to just a bonus.

In fact, that’s what I did after my round today. I signed my card, did some interviews, and just talked to my friends behind the 18th green for a long while.

All three of my sons are here, along with my great friend, PGA Tour Chaplain Larry Moody, and his wife, and so many people I’ve known here for so many years.

Since I live in Columbus (Georgia), it’s way too far home to drive home every night. My wife and I just stay with my parents, Charles and Elizabeth, who live about 20 minutes from the club in Evans.

This week, we have my wife, Bonnie, and our three sons, David, Patrick and Robert, who just came in from college Friday; all with us staying at my parents. It’s a pretty tight fit, but we all love being together and it’s a fun weekend.

In fact, after my round, I had to check on who was going home with who and who was staying here while I putted for a while.

Tonight (Saturday) we’re having all the family and some good friends over for a big dinner at my parents’ house. We expect about 20-25 people there and a menu of chicken fingers and shrimp. That should be pretty good.

One of the really neat things I got to do this week was play two rounds with Drew Kittleson, the U.S. Amateur runner-up last year.

Here’s a guy less than half my age, but man can he play. I know it was a tough couple of rounds for him, but I’m sure I couldn’t be playing this course that well when I was 20.

Since we were in competition Thursday and Friday, I couldn’t really help him or point out anything, but I just tried to encourage him and pat him on the back. It’s just so hard to play this course without lots of experience, which you gain over the years.

I really don’t play here much during the year, but there are times when I’ll bring friends here to play the course. It’s always fun to play and I think you can always learn something, but nothing beats Masters week..

Because I’m living close and we were playing late, I just took it easy this morning. I slept in late and then got up and my wife fixed me some eggs. I came over to the course about 10 a.m.
I have some stretching I like to do in the trailer, then I hit some balls. After that, I just went in the (Champions) locker room for a sandwich. Nothing better than an Augusta National sandwich and then got ready to play.

Easter Sunday is always a special day for me because of my faith. We will celebrate Easter early with the family and I’ll just head to the course.

Then Sunday night I’ll drive home to Columbus and get ready to resume the Champions Tour schedule next week.

Still, nothing can top this and it’s something I’m glad to continue for one more day.