Forgive Tom McKnight if he appears to be in a trance.
Club selection, yardage and wind gauging aren't the only things on the amateur's mind. McKnight's journey to the Augusta National Golf Club has had more twists than the Mississippi River.
He takes a moment, maybe two, to drink in all the Masters has to offer. The 44-year-old petroleum distributor may be the senior statesman among the amateurs but he's just as wide-eyed as his three young counterparts.
McKnight shot a 1-over-par 73 on Saturday. He enters today's final round at 4-over-par 220, one stroke ahead of Matt Kuchar, two in front of Sergio Garcia and six up on Trevor Immelman for low amateur honors. The Galax, Va., resident admits to frequently stealing moments out on the course to be stored eternally in his mind.
``Roughly 18 times a round,'' McKnight said.
Previous invitations to Augusta National had been declined by McKnight before he earned the invitation via his U.S. Amateur runnerup finish last summer. Friends offered spectator badges or the opportunity to fill out a foursome but he couldn't bring himself to accept.
His stint as a professional golfer was unremarkable. It ended after a church pickup basketball game left him with a fractured left elbow. He was undercut going in for a layup and now one arm is slightly longer than the other.
In 1981, McKnight inherited his father's oil business. Golf beckoned, however. He was reinstated as an amateur and finally got to Augusta.
``I didn't want to go until I could be in the tournament,'' McKnight said last August. ``I wanted to play and not watch. This will make it more special.''
McKnight sits at 4-over-par 220 through the first three rounds. A double bogey on No. 13 prevented him from playing under par Saturday. The uncompromising father of three has positioned himself to capture the sterling silver cup given to the low-amateur.
``I would love to do that,'' McKnight said. ``I left some shots out there. I guess it's expected, but you don't have to like it.''
Gradually, Kuchar is regaining his stamina. After battling flulike symptoms for the better part of last week and early this week, the Georgia Tech junior said he is almost back to full strength.
Kuchar couldn't better Friday's 1-under-par 71 Saturday although he said the course was primed for low scores. He said not being in contention is the only regret he has despite playing through a fatiguing illness.
``It played as easy as I've seen it,'' said the defending low amateur, who shot 73 Saturday. ``The conditions were there for the taking. It's been neat to not miss a cut thus far. I'd like to have one of those late tee times on Sunday to see how I handle that pressure.''
Garcia made three back-nine bogeys for a 75 to push his three-day total to 6-over-par 222. The 19-year-old high school student birdied No. 5 and No. 6 but couldn't string another run together.
While his third-round score wasn't satisfying, he's enjoyed every other aspect of playing Augusta National.
``I'm a little disappointed with my round,'' Garcia said. ``Everything here is OK, except for me.''
Low amateur savors pieces of earned trip 