Zach Johnson's brother-in-law has a slice

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A wrapped left thumb wasn't going to stop Manchester native Doug Drees from caddying at Augusta National Wednesday.

Zach Johnson had already tabbed his wife, father, brother and father-in-law to caddy for him in his four previous Par 3 Contests at the Masters. Wednesday, it was brother-in-law Drees' turn.

Hopefully, Johnson's aim will be better in today's first round of the Masters (with full-time caddie Damon Green on the bag) than Drees' was Sunday night at home in Cedar Falls.

He was chopping spinach, and clipped a little piece of his thumb in the process. That mandated a trip to an emergency room. But two days later Drees and his wife, Maria, were airborne for Georgia.

Drees ably carried Johnson's clubs Wednesday in the Par 3 Contest, and holed a par putt of about six feet on the final hole when his brother-in-law let him finish the round in the relaxed, family-oriented event.

"What a blast," Drees waiting at the eighth tee during the contest, while Johnson satisfied a long line of autograph-seekers.

"It's awesome to be part of this."

Wednesday was the first time Drees walked Augusta's big course since Easter Sunday 2007. He wasn't married to Maria yet, and came here as part of a "boys' trip" with Johnson's dad, brother, uncle and cousin.

"This was a little more relaxing than that day," said Drees, who works for an Internet marketing company.

 "Two years ago, we were on Cloud Nine on the back nine."

By the way, Drees said the sliced part of his thumb will grow back, though with a scar.