Inside of the Masters Tournament: Friday is a big day for Hudson Swafford

AUGUSTA, Ga. - For many golf fans in the United States, the first round of the Masters Tournament is referred to as Christmas in April.

To that point, round one of tournament’s April Christmas gift Thursday was yet another early alarm wake up for Hudson and I. And it was another round of window-rattling morning storms.

Rain has been the predominant weather choice so far with continuous storms battering this area since mid-day Tuesday. With those early morning storms came a text to Hudson from the Masters that his Thursday tee time would be delayed 30 minutes to 9:25 a.m.

That allowed us to not have to rush as much Thursday morning. Hudson and I headed out the door to Augusta National Golf Club around 6:45 a.m. I drove while Hudson, in the passenger seat, plotted our way to avoid the ever-present traffic on Washington Road.

After some meandering through the back roads, we arrived for yet another sentimental cruise down Magnolia Lane. I just can’t help but to think just how incredible this is as the clubhouse comes into view at the end of the tree lined iconic street. Here I am, driving my childhood best friend, down the one of the most famous roads in the country as he’s about to embark on one of the most important rounds of his career at the most prestigious golf tournament in the world.

WEDNESDAY'S GUZZO DIARY

More: Inside look at the Masters Tournament: Cory Guzzo following best friend Hudson Swafford

LIVING OUT A DREAM

We undoubtedly dreamed about this many times as kids on the putting greens of multiple Tallahassee golf courses during some epic and highly contentious putting competitions. I dropped Hud at the clubhouse and headed over to park the car at the competitors parking lot. It was raining at the time, so I decided to wait it out and hang out the in the car watching the coming and going from the likes of Fred Couples, Colin Morikawa, Francesco Molinari, etc.

This place is truly like Disneyland for golf fanatics. Hud started his warmup around an hour before his round, so I headed over to the range to watch him get loose.

Soon enough, we were standing on the first tee at Augusta National.

“Fore please, Hudson Swafford now playing” rang from the iconic starters voice as Hud planted a tee in the ground. It was go-time and he smashed a beautiful drive right down the middle on the first hole. An easy par at the first hole led to a bogey on the second hole that he was none too pleased with.

The fifth hole brought about an errant shot and a large search party to find the ball to no avail. He carded an unfortunate triple bogey and most players would completely melt down at this point. There’s one thing Hudson will never do and that is give up. Sometimes some of his best golf is shortly after a mistake. He has defied odds his entire golfing career and his ability to recover is one of his most consistent traits.

He played the rest of the round after hole 5 in 1-over par, which in the wet and windy conditions was a feat of its own. He setup some great opportunities for birdies at 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16 but was only able to convert on a couple of those holes. Some days the putter can just be a little cruel as we all know. Hud excelled at keeping his round together after an unfortunate triple bogey, and I excelled at sampling all of the sandwich delicacies that the Masters has to offer.

We each have our priorities, talents and roles.

RELIVING TALLAHASSEE MEMORIES

Hudson shot a 5-over par, 77. Post-round lead to some lunch, practice and physiotherapy. Around 5 p.m. as I was hanging at the range waiting for him to finish up, I got the usual “Guz you ready?” It's a question that I’ve heard so many times over the years.

We loaded up the car and headed back to the rental house. Hudson's wife Katherine and and their 3-year-old son James headed back home Thursday, so it’s just Hud and I in the house for the remainder of the week. The house is quieter but I miss my evening games, book reading, and shark varietal lessons from little James, it helped fill the void of being away from my 1-year-old son Grayson for the week.

Once back at home base, we took it easy for a couple hours, watched some of the golf coverage on TV, and recapped the round from the living room with his caddy Kyle Bradley.

A few stories were shared and some Tallahassee memories were reminisced throughout the evening. Hud loves the town he grew up in and is always asking me about somebody we grew up with to see how they are doing. Or if a certain restaurant or place we frequented as kids is still around. He has one hell of a memory and sometimes that’s to my detriment or my benefit!

Friday is a big day for Hudson.

The weather forecast looks a little ominous but this time in the form of wind instead of rain. Winds are supposed to be sustained at 20-plus mph, which will wreak havoc on players not in good form. This will provide an opportunity for Hudson to make up some ground and get right back into the thick of things with a solid round.

Hudson is scheduled to tee off at 12:02 p.m. with the same grouping as Thursday with Min Woo Lee and Cameron Young. Sungjae Im sits atop the leaderboard as he shot an opening-round, 5-under 67.

Don’t be surprised to see Hudson's name climb the scoreboard. Hud is, and always will be, a fierce competitor and will battle the greens of Augusta with tenacity until he holes that final putt on the famous 18th green on Friday afternoon.

All I can say is, I’m just truly thankful that I’m here to witness it.

Editor's note: Cory Guzzo is staying with Hudson Swafford during the Masters Tournament. Cory was born and raised in Tallahassee, where he currently works as a lobbyist. Cory and Hudson first met on the junior golf and all-star baseball circuits when they were around 11 years old. They attended Maclay together and played varsity golf. When Hudson went to Georgia and Cory to Florida State, Cory caddied for Hudson at the numerous prestigious amateur golf tournaments Hudson was invited to during the summer. In 2010, Cory caddied for Hudson at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, when he participated as an amateur. Both served roles as groomsmen in each other’s wedding.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Inside of the Masters Tournament: Friday is a big day for Hudson Swafford