2011 Masters: Rickie Fowler Experiencing 'Dream Come True' in Tournament Debut

PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Rickie Fowler is taking it all in.

While playing a practice round at the 2011 Masters Tournament with two of his best friends yesterday—U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein and fellow PGA Tour pro Bubba Watson—he's relaxed and enjoying the moment.

But as the patrons arrive at Augusta National Golf Club and the countdown to Thursday's opening round continues, he knows the casual atmosphere is about to change.

As with any major tournament on the PGA Tour, there's a tremendous amount of pressure involved. And it might even be escalated at steeped-in-tradition Augusta, often considered the most important golf tournament of any PGA Tour season.

But Fowler seems well-prepared and thus well-equipped to handle that pressure. After all, he managed 11 top 10 finishes in 38 PGA Tour starts thus far and would be hard pressed to experience more pressure than he felt as a member of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup Team last fall.

So, as Fowler has been living out his dreams at just 22 years old, he has spent much of his life considering this opportunity, of walking the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club and competing in arguably the most prestigious tournament the game has ever known.

"Most definitely a dream come true," Fowler said at his post-practice presser this afternoon. "To have a chance to play in my first Masters is something I've dreamed about since I was a little kid. I watched plenty of Masters (tournaments) growing up. The green jacket is obviously something that means quite a bit in the golfing community. To have a chance to be in the tournament and with playing well right now, I feel like if I go into the week with high expectations, there's a chance I could be walking up 18 in contention. That is something I've dreamed about—the special walk up 18. Just to be a part of this week is pretty cool."

Of course, that's easier said than done.

And as a Masters rookie, history shows it certainly won't be an easy task. Only three players in the tournament's 75-year history have ever won on their first try, the last being Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

"It's not an easy golf course to just go out and learn," Fowler said. "It takes some time. And it's a major. So, you're going to see the seasoned veterans who usually do well—like Tom Watson and Freddy Couples (last year). Hopefully we can get a couple young guys on top this year."

In a diary entry for Masters.com, Fowler said: "I'll be ready when it's time—and it's almost time."

And thus, the countdown is on.