The food and atmosphere in the Crow's Nest were delightful but David Gossett was anxious to return to the course.
An 18-foot birdie putt awaited him on the No. 5 green. The University of Texas sophomore had just played a perfect 5-iron to set up the shot that could drop him to 1-over par for the tournament when play was suspended in the third round of the Masters on Saturday.
Following a two-hour delay, the 20-year-old finally made his way back on the course. Any momentum he carried onto the fifth green dissipated during the break.
``It got me out of my rhythm,'' Gossett said. ``This is the first rain delay of my career. I went back out there and missed the birdie.''
Low-amateur honors have already been clinched by Gossett, who was the only amateur to make the cut. He followed Friday's 71 with a 79 for a three-day total of 225.
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Davis Gossett hits on No. 9 after taking a dropped ball.Jeff Janowski/Chronicle Staff
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Gossett birdied No. 2 but gave the shot back with a bogey on No. 4. It would be the first of three killer par 3s for the Germantown, Tenn., native. The Masters rookie played the Augusta National Golf Club's four par-3 holes even through the first two days but on Saturday, Gossett dropped four shots to the short-yardage holes.
After missing a birdie opportunity at No. 5, Gossett's game unraveled on No. 8. His six on the par-5, 550-yard hole began a string of four bogeys in five holes.
Although he'll need a spectacular round today to attain his goal of a top 16 finish, Gossett is not disheartened with his overall performance in Augusta.
``(No. 8) didn't help my rhythm,'' Gossett said. ``It's no reason to hang my head because I'm not in the top 10.''
The notoriously wicked winds at Augusta National furiously whipped the saturated course compounding many golfers' frustrations. Gusts up to 42 miles per hour tormented the hapless players but Gossett refused to blame nature for his score.
``I like conditions like this,'' Gossett said. ``It's unfortunate I didn't take advantage of it and wasn't able to stay around par. I'm going to have to go out and play great golf (Sunday).''
While Gossett would prefer to finish in the top 16 and earn an automatic invitation to the 2001 Masters, he insisted his future as an amateur won't be influenced by his performance.
Completing his collegiate season with Texas is Gossett's prime objective. He will take away special memories from Augusta National regardless of how today's final round unfolds.
``I showed I can play out here but I'm disappointed in my play today,'' Gossett said. ``I'm not saying I'll go pro or not. I'm still looking to go back to the Big 12 and playing the U.S. Open and British Open.''
Delay broke Gossett's rhythym
