Tuesday, April 3
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- As Chris DiMarco strolled off the 18th green at Augusta National, he thanked Sergio Garcia for some tips and stopped to sign a few autographs. Then, about the time DiMarco made it to the giant live oak that towers above the clubhouse, reality set in. "I'm tired -- very, very tired," the Masters rookie said as darkness approached Monday. "I've never been here before. I guess that kept me going." DiMarco was one of 28 golfers who chose to play the week before Augusta in the BellSouth Classic. Those who made the cut got more than they bargained for: a 36-hole final day over the hilly, sprawling TPC at Sugarloaf. For players such as Jesper Parnevik, that meant taking Monday off instead of trying to get in a practice round at Augusta. "I'm pretty beat up," said Parnevik, who worked a little on the putting green before calling it in a day, though he still broke out a garish pair of checkered, purple pants. "Anyone who walks that course knows it's one of the toughest on the tour. It takes four hours to walk even if you're not playing. And we played 36 holes with no break." So Parnevik rested. DiMarco, on the other hand, wasn't going to wait any longer -- not even a day, no matter how his body felt. He just had to get a look at the course he's always dreamed of playing. "It's pretty awesome," he said. "Walking up to all those holes, it's weird. TV just doesn't do it justice." DiMarco, who finished five shots behind BellSouth winner Scott McCarron, paired with Garcia for the inaugural trip around Augusta National. The 21-year-old Spaniard, playing here for the third time, kept pointing out the best spots to be on those slick, deceptive greens. "He's old beyond his years," DiMarco said. "I know he's only 21, but he doesn't seem 21."
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