As Nathan prepared for his debut at Augusta National he declared he was feeling a little nervous about what lay ahead. "Dealing with the nerves will be one of my biggest issues this week," he said after his first full practice round on Tuesday. "I guess you could say I am excited but nervous to be here."

"I guess I have seen enough of Augusta National on television in recent years to have an idea of what to expect but being here is something special."

"I played nine holes yesterday and a full 18 today. I played with Heath Slocum today and in fact will be playing with him in the opening round on Friday with Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa. I am not sure how many I will play tomorrow at this stage but will play before the par three competition."

"This course stretches my game out as it is long and with my ball flight being generally low then it does make the approach shots a little difficult. Over the next day or so I will work on my driving and my speed putting which is so important around here. I have been leaking a few drives to the right which is not a good thing on this golf course although Heath's caddie, who is a professional golfer and who I know, might have helped me out a little in that regard today."

"It blew very hard last week back in Dallas so I did not get quite the quality practice time I needed." 

Nathan is staying in a big house with friends and family this week and on Thursday will tee it up at 7.50am in round one. Nathan will in fact have the honour of being the first player to tee off in the opening round.

---