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Tony Finau, on Another Masters Adventure, Carries Memories of an Idol

Mike Segar/Reuters

Tony Finau put a lucky 13th ball in his bag for his opening round of one-under-par 71 on Thursday at the Masters.

Along with the four sleeves of three balls that he typically carries, Finau had one with the Augusta National logo signed by his idol, Billy Casper.

Casper, the 1970 Masters champion, became something of a Finau fan years ago, when they met in Utah, their shared home state. He died at 83 three years before Finau, 29, made his Masters debut, managing a tie for 10th last year despite sustaining a high-ankle sprain while celebrating a hole in one during the Wednesday par-3 contest.