Tiger’s Victory Thrills Elder

Lee Elder was in a hurry Sunday morning, a speeding ticket more proof than was necessary. It already had taken too long to get to this point, a black man winning the Masters.

“No one will turn their head when a black man walks to the first tee after this,” Elder said.

Elder, 62, was the first black to play in the Masters, in 1975, and he felt it important that he be there when the first black won the Masters, Tiger Woods, in 1997.

“One of the reasons I’m here today is to see history made,” Elder said. “I have constantly said it would be one happy and glorious day for all blacks. They are so proud of him, the way he has accomplished things and carries himself.”

“For me it’s a lot of satisfaction. It certainly means a lot for a lot of minorities because it’s certainly going to be a situation where he’s a role model. A lot of kids who are not now involved in golf will turn to golf because they can see what they can possibly do.”

For many years, the Augusta National Golf Club was symbolic of the segregation that beleaguered the sport. The club did not admit its first black member until 1991. Charlie Sifford, the black who integrated the PGA Tour, was never invited to play in the Masters. Elder qualified by winning the Monsanto Open in 1974.

When Elder first came here, he was concerned for his safety. He had received five or six letters containing threats on his life, he said. He stayed in a private home about 10 minutes from the course, and when his round had concluded, he generally went straight home.

“That’s why I made myself a little bit scarce the first time,” he said. “I was always assured that nothing would happen inside here, but I was worried about being outside. It was pretty frightening.

Elder played in the Masters six times and the best he finished was in a tie for 17th.

It was not the first time Elder returned to Augusta since he was no longer playing here. He came in 1995, when Woods made his Masters debut as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion. The decision to return to see Woods win the Masters was an easy one for him.

“I told my wife I’m going if he’s anywhere near the lead or leading,” Elder said.

He rose at 7 a.m. and flew from his home in Pompano Beach, Fla., to Atlanta, then made the two-hour drive to Augusta. He was stopped for going 85 mph in a 70 zone.

“I told him, ‘Look, I have to get to the Masters to watch Tiger,”’ he said. “He didn’t know anything about golf. I couldn’t believe it.”

Elder nonetheless arrived with time to spare and was standing by the first tee when Woods hit his drive down the middle.

Kite wins while losing

Tom Kite wasn’t too upset about finishing second for the third time in the Masters. As Ryder Cup captain, he got a wonderful consolation prize - Tiger Woods.

“I think he’s got a chance for the team,” Kite joked after Woods’ record 12-shot victory. “He’s made the team. He came in with 500 points and earned 300 points today. No question he’s made the team, and by some chance 800 points doesn’t do it, I’ll pick him as a wild card.”

Kite, who will lead America against Europe this September in Spain, waited around the 18th green to see Woods finish.

“It was a historical moment,” Kite said. “I wanted to congratulate him on making the Ryder Cup. He said it was one of his most important goals. I’m very pleased to have him.”

It was Kite’s best finish in a major since he won the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, but he mostly wanted to talk about Woods.

“To shoot 18-under on this course is incredible,” Kite said. “He’s just incredible. I don’t care what his race is. He’s a golfer. He’s a nice person and a great kid. His parents did a helluva job raising him.”

Kite said Woods “is exactly what we need in golf.”

Bargain for Nike?

Phil Knight, founder of Nike, gave Tiger Woods a $40 million endorsement contract and it looks like money well spent.

“One analyst said we overpaid for Tiger,” Knight said. “I wonder what they’re thinking now?.”

Knight said “I think the only guy who thought maybe this was going to happen was his father, Earl.”

Nike also has the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan under contract.

“It’s nice to be along for the ride with both of them,” Knight said.

Another record

Jack Nicklaus has set the endurance record in the Masters.

His 6-over-par 78 was of little consequence, but the fact he finished his round put him at the top of the record book for most rounds.

Nicklaus has 147 rounds to beat Sam Snead’s record by just one. Nicklaus established the mark in 39 starts to 44 for Snead.

Nicklaus said “records can be broken I guess if you hang around long enough.”