Wheaton-Warrenville South Alum Streelman Playing in the Masters

Having qualified to play this week at golf's Masters tournament at Augusta National with his win at the Tampa Bay Championship a few weeks ago, Winfield native and Wheaton-Warrenville South Class of 1997 member Kevin Streelman is four over par after one day of competition, having made only two birdies against six bogies in Thursday competition, and is 10 shots off the lead.

But don't count him out. He was +2 and eight shots off the lead at Innisbrook when he won, and may yet rally to make Friday's cut.

And Streelman is having enjoying his second trip to the Masters, writing on his Twitter account sentiments like "Honestly, it is very cool to be paired in the Masters with [two-time Masters winner Tom Watson] Thursday and Friday. Kids, don't ever stop chasing [your] dreams!"

Streelman also posted a picture (see above) of him and his caddy for the day—Mom—at Wednesday's light-hearted Par 3 contest. (He posted an unofficial +3 30.)

"It's an overwhelming week, especially the first time you go," he told the Duke Chronicle. (Streelman captained the Duke golf team.) "You just get pulled in a lot of directions.... This time we kind of planned accordingly."

"With our brand, we're kind of like the hardest working guys in golf," Tim Clarke, the vice president of global golf for Chicago-based Wilson, who sponsor Streelman, told the Daily Herald. "And our players kind of line up that way, too. And I think that really is what Kevin is—he's a committed athlete who's chased the mini tours for six years just to get his card."

Streelman, Watson and Ryan Moore have a 10:40 Central tee time on Friday.