Newman puts foot to pedal down the stretch, then buys some gas

(AP photo)

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Jack Newman was 4-over-par through 13 holes at the Masters.

Pretty standard stuff for a 21-year-old amateur, right? Just try not to embarrass yourself, soak up the experience, and learn a lot.

Uh, not this Michigan State junior from Des Moines. Newman was magnificent down the stretch, birdieing four of his last five holes to shoot an even-par 72 at Augusta National.

That made Newman the best first-round finisher of the five amateurs in the field, including 2008 U.S. Amateur champ Danny Lee and '08 British Amateur titlist Reinier Sexton.

"There's still a couple rounds left," said Newman, who got here by winning last year's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

"Never count your chickens before they're hatched."

Actually, Newman needs to make the 36-hole cut Friday to have a third and fourth round here. But his score left him tied for 38th after 18 holes, tied with names like Phil Mickelson and one of his playing partners Thursday, Fred Couples.

"Hopefully we've got a long ways to go," said Newman, "and just one round doesn't mean too much.

"But I'm feeling pretty good."

Newman bogeyed the first hole, but so did Couples and their other playing partner, Rocco Mediate.

"I was unbelievably scared on the first tee," Newman said, "and then after I got out there, Freddie and Rocco were just great players to be with and great competitors.

"After a couple bogeys I sort of got more fired up than nervous, and luckily I brought it back on the back side."

Newman topped off his day by topping off his car's gas tank.

"I've got to go fill up my car that I have because it's low," he said, "then I might come back for a few wedge shots. But besides that, just lay low tonight."