Kittleson right at home at Masters

Things were back to normal for Drew Kittleson Monday.

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Or in his words, "A pretty big letdown."

Last week at this time, Kittleson was preparing for his endeavor into his future. He was teeing it up with the likes of Phil Mickelson and Mark O'Meara and that was just the practice rounds for the 75th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

Kittleson qualified for golf's first major of the season by finishing second in the 2008 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst last summer.

Drew Kittleson

The Florida State University sophomore and East Gull Lake summer resident carded a 78 in his first round of a professional tournament. He came back during Friday's second round with a 72 to finish with 150. The 20-year-old missed the cut to play Saturday and Sunday.

"The first day was such a learning experience," said Kittleson Monday after practice. "I wasn't sure how my body was going to react. I was so amped up the whole time I couldn't control myself. On Friday, I actually struck the ball beautifully and played really well. I had a triple and two bogeys in a major and still shot even par so I was doing something right. I proved to myself that my game is at an elite level."

Kittleson opened the Masters with a bogey 5 on the first hole. He righted himself with a birdie on the Par 5 fifth to finish the front nine even par. But double bogeys at 10 and 12 along with bogeys at 11, 14, 16 and 18 couldn't be overcome by birdies on the par 5 13 and 15.

He finished the tournament shooting 6-under on the Par 5s including an eagle on 15. He picked up an eagle earlier on the difficult par 4 11th. Kittleson hit a 6-iron from 195 yards out. He didn't get to see the ball land in the cup, but the roar from the fans on Amen Corner told him what happened.

For his efforts, he received four Master's crystal Goblets given to every golfer who cards an eagle.

While he was stellar on the par 5s, the amateur struggled on the par 3s, especially the famous 12th where he doubled and tripled.

"It's as scary as they say it is," said Kittleson, "but it's just the wind is so crazy. It does the craziest things. On Thursday all three of us in my group hit it over the green and into the woods. Three very good players hitting a shot only 150 yards and for all of us to fly it over the green was crazy. I will never, ever think any less of anyone who puts it into the water on that hole."

The week wasn't all pressure-packed golf. Case in point: Wednesday's Par 3 tournament. Kittleson's dad Kurt, a Brainerd graduate, caddied for his son.

The practice rounds with Mickelson and O'Meara, both past champions, was also a fun learning experience. Not about golf, however, but life.

"They talked about how I should approach the golf tournament," said Kittleson. "We talked a lot about life. They have so many more life experiences that they can look back on and reflect on. They told me what they would have done differently. All of them were so accommodating and helpful."

There were five other amateur's in this year's field, including Danny Lee, who Kittleson lost to in the U.S. Amateur. Kittleson beat him this time by five shots.

That wasn't a concern for Kittleson, who is now preparing to help FSU repeat as ACC championships. For now the Masters is still fresh on his mind.

"The overall feeling of being out there is just something you can't explain," said Kittleson. "Everyone is so quiet and polite and respectful. When you think about the speed of the greens. However fast you think they are - double it. However much you think they undulate - double it. It's like putting on undulating pool table.

"It's hard to describe. It's fair. It's the Masters."

jeremy millsop, sports writer, may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerd dispatch.com or at 855-5856.