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| Russell Henley, right, speaks with Tom Watson during a practice round at the Masters. |
The former Georgia Bulldog and Peach State native is playing in his first Masters.
He is carrying the hopes of fans cheering for their first home-state champion since Larry Mize won the green jacket in 1987. Henley said he hadn't felt as nervous as he did Monday — and that was just practice.
"The excitement of being here and knowing I'm a contestant is a feeling like I've never had," Henley said.
The 23-year-old attended the tournament while growing up in Macon. He played the course while at Georgia and won his way into the field with a victory at the Sony Open in January.
He hopes that enjoying the moments early in the week will lead to focused golf when the tournament starts Thursday.
Should Henley triumph it would mark just the fourth Georgia native to capture the title since the tournament began in 1934. Savannah-born Claude Harmon won in 1948, Gainesville, Ga., native Tommy Aaron in 1973 before Mize — a true hometown favorite from Augusta — rolled in his 140-foot chip on the 11th hole to defeat Greg Norman in a playoff.
Henley, playing his practice round with two-time Masters champion Tom Watson and amateur Nathan Smith, twirled his driver as he walked the fairway, continually stopping to say hi to well-wishers.
"I heard a lot of 'Go Dawgs.' That was cool. Heard a lot of 'Go Jackets.' Didn't really get that one," Henley joked about Georgia's main state rival, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Henley hopes he makes an immediate mark on Augusta National and fulfill the dream of wearing the green jacket, something he's thought about since learning the game in Macon.
"I've dreamed about playing in this tournament. I've dreamed about winning on the PGA Tour and I've accomplished both of those," Henley said. "I've got a lot more on the list."
Henley doesn't want to think too far down Magnolia Lane, though, but can't always help imagining victory here. "It would be very special," he said.
