His body is failing him but his desire is not.
Amateur Matt Kuchar charmed Augusta National Golf Club galleries a year ago with his infectious smile but a nagging cold is draining him this year. The Georgia Tech junior shot 288 in the 1998 Masters, including a 4-under par 68 in the third round, for a 21st-place finish.
This year hasn't been as rosy. Kuchar was taken to a local hospital Tuesday, dehydrated after playing nine practice holes. He returned Wednesday and aced the second hole in the Par-3 Contest. The normally energized 20-year-old was exhausted following Thursday's opening round in which he shot a 5-over-par 77.
``This morning I took a downturn,'' Kuchar said. ``I tried to play through it. I made it through 18 holes, I hadn't done that yet.''
Last year's low amateur said eight doctors have offered conflicting diagnoses of his illness. He said he got bursts of energy throughout Thursday's round but felt he was playing at about 75 percent.
The amateur with the best first round was Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the reigning British Amateur champ. The 19-year-old got off to a shaky start but composed himself to shoot an even-par 72.
``I played great golf on the back nine,'' Garcia said. ``I was a little nervous but after three or four holes, I got pretty relaxed. I can't believe how relaxed I was.
``On No. 10, I told my dad (and caddie), I'm too relaxed. I don't feel anything.''
Kuchar opened last year's Masters with a 72. He said the experience is different this time around.
``Last year I had a lot more fun, it was my first time,'' Kuchar said. ``I didn't hold as many conversations as I did last year with Tiger (Woods). I tried to conserve my energy.
``Last year I was in a little more of a fairy-tale world. It's hard to be in a fairy-tale world when you're sick.''
Despite his physical ailments, Kuchar said he won't withdraw from the tournament.
``There's no way I'd ever consider stopping,'' he said. ``Not in any tournament that was important to me. Hopefully some rest will do the ticket. Making the cut is still very possible.''
Kuchar's heir to the U.S. Amateur crown, Hank Kuehne, played in defending Masters champion Mark O'Meara's threesome. The 23-year-old's debut was memorable but one he'd like to forget.
His drive on the par-4 No. 1 hooked into the ninth fairway. He collected himself enough to par the hole. Kuehne overcame his nervousness to shoot a 2-over-par 74.
``It was pretty bad,'' Kuehne said of his tee shot on No. 1. ``It got airborne, that was the only thing good about it. I went from the putting green to the first hole and it hit me -- I was teeing off at the Augusta National.''
Three-time Masters champion Gary Player raved about fellow countryman Trevor Immelman. The 19-year-old received his first bid to the Masters by winning the 1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
Player was amazed by the young South African's long game.
``I was so impressed with him today,'' Player said. ``At 150 pounds, I don't know where he gets his power. He showed composure during his first round at Augusta National.''
Immelman was in a threesome with Player and Steve Stricker. He said the veterans offered words of encouragement throughout his even-par 72.
Having 45 years of Masters' experience in his group soothed Immelman's freshman jitters.
``Just keeping me calm,'' Immelman said. ``Just making me feel at home. They made me feel like I've been here 10 years.''
Garcia's 72 leads amateurs; Kuchar still suffering 