Gary Player makes young patron's day at Masters

To put it mildly, it was a decent first Masters Tournament experience for 7-year-old Tabb Hinson.

After getting his picture taken at Founders Circle, Hinson had just passed Butler Cabin when his dad, Michael Hinson, spotted a three-time Masters champion about to exit the clubhouse.

“I said, ‘There’s Gary Player,’ ” Hinson said. “And Tabb decided to wave.”

Player waved back, then motioned the Evans boy to come under the rope. From there, Player took off Tabb’s visor and signed it.

After the awestruck child said, ‘Thank you,’ Player leaned over and the two shared a hug.

“It’s 8:15 a.m., but I don’t see this day getting much better,” Michael Hinson said. “That’s as good as it gets.”

“I’m 46 and still haven’t been under that rope,” Hinson said. “Moments like this are what makes the Masters so special. When I woke up this morning, I never dreamed my son would get a hug from Gary Player at the clubhouse.”