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LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE
Gary Van Sickle
April 08, 2002
Can you identify these first-round leaders at Augusta?
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April 08, 2002

Leader In The Clubhouse

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Can you identify these first-round leaders at Augusta?

1. In 1992, while shooting a 65 on Thursday, I became the first player ever to ace the then 205-yard 4th hole. (I gave the ball to my mom, who was standing near the green.)

2. In 19851 opened with a 68 and was one of only three players to break 70 that day. Two weeks before the tournament I had made some changes to my swing after comparing it with a stick-figure model on a computer. Payne Stewart played with acupuncture needles in his earlobes. I wore a gray fedora.

3. In 1986, playing in my first Masters and with my sister on my bag, I made seven birdies and snot 68. Dude, I was unconscious, sinking a 40-footer on the 1st hole, a 70-footer on the 5th, a 50-footer at 16 and a 35-footer at 18. A green jacket would've matched the rest of my wardrobe.

4. In 1989, when I was 49, I shot a 67 to become the oldest first-round leader. The year before, when I failed to break 80 and missed the cut, I said, "I hope to God they don't send me an invitation next year."

5. I finally made it to Augusta in 1990, at 34, but not in my wildest dreams did I think I'd shoot a 64 my first time out and become the Cinderella story. I turned into a pumpkin the next day when I shot an 82. My nickname is Stats because I memorize sports statistics.

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