Few rounds of 73 will generate such an emotional response from Sergio Garcia. But Sunday afternoon, the Spanish teen-ager could revel in his 1-over-par finish.
He survived his first trip to the Augusta National Golf Club and came away as the low amateur with a 7-over-par total, beating Tom McKnight by two strokes.
The 19-year-old senior of Reydon Jaimb High School in Casdellon, Spain, wasn't aware of the history he had made following his round. When informed he was the first European to make the cut and earn the low-amateur crown, Garcia proudly thrust his arm in the air.
``Yes!'' he exclaimed.
Trevor Homer (1974) and Warren Bladon (1997) of England were the low-scoring amateurs, but they failed to win the honor since they missed the cut. South African Manny Zerman, who made the cut in 1992, is the only other non-American to earn low-amateur honors at the Masters.
The Spanish phenom shot past McKnight and Matt Kuchar to snare the low-amateur title. He entered Sunday's final round trailing McKnight by two and Kuchar, the 1998 low amateur, by one.
Garcia abandoned the putter he'd been using all week in favor of one he hadn't used for a while. The switch worked as he followed two rounds of 75 with his 73.
``It went good,'' Garcia said. ``I was comfortable with it.''
The reigning British Amateur champion has put his decision to turn professional on hold. Garcia said playing the Masters as an amateur had been his ambition, and he will begin gathering opinions to assist his decision-making process.
``I'll speak with my family,'' Garcia said. ``We'll discuss that at home. This tournament has been great for my career.''
Kuchar shot a final-round 78 to finish the tournament at 11 over. The Georgia Tech junior said he has every intention of finishing his collegiate career.
Last year's fan favorite battled flu-like symptoms all week and never found a rhythm.
``It's tough to come in feeling so poor, but I tried to stay positive,'' Kuchar said. ``It's an unlucky break, but you go from here. My game showed today I hadn't been practicing.''
South African Trevor Immelman sputtered during the final three rounds of the Masters. He shot a 72 Thursday, but his scores gradually increased to Sunday's 79.
The powerful 19-year-old plans to retain his amateur status at least until qualifying for the British Open.
``Hopefully, I'll get into the Open as an amateur,'' Immelman said. ``If I keep shooting 76, 78, 79 in the last three rounds, I'll stay amateur.
``I think I've progressed the last three months. Being my first time and making the cut was a great achievement.''
McKnight entered Sunday with a one-stroke advantage over Kuchar. His 77 dropped him two behind Garcia at the completion of the tournament.
The 44-year-old amateur enjoyed his week in Augusta. A one-time professional, he had never been inside the Augusta National gates prior to this week.
``It was worth the wait,'' McKnight said. ``It's been a dream come true to be here.''
McKnight plans to play eight to 10 tournaments until the end of summer, including the British Amateur, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur. He also will try to qualify for the U.S. Open but balks at thoughts of turning pro.
``What are you talking about? At my age?'' McKnight said. ``Later on, maybe that's something to think about (for the Senior Tour).''
Garcia's 73 earns low-amateur crown