Time of his life

Adam Candee

Wednesday, April 9, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

He played a practice round at Augusta National with Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros, will tee off Thursday morning in the Masters in Arnold Palmer's group and just earned a spot on one of the most prestigious amateur squads in the United States.

Twenty-year-old UNLV golfer Ryan Moore appears to be living the sport's version of fantasy camp. Yet when reached earlier this week in Georgia, Moore's first words were a surprise.

"I'm in a little bit of pain right now," Moore said.

Pain? Playing as an amateur on America's most famous golf course with the world's best golfers induces pain?

"My caddie is stretching me out right now," Moore explained, referring to UNLV teammate-turned-caddie Andres Gonzalez.

Stretching is about all Moore could do Monday, when heavy rain wiped out practice rounds at Augusta.

The muscle pain, however, is the only discomfort Moore is feeling this week, as the invitation to the Masters he earned by winning the 2002 U.S. Amateur Public Links allows him a peek at what may lie ahead.

"It's incredible, it's just an amazing deal," Moore said. "The course is incredible. Everyone is so nice around here. It's a wonderful experience."

Tuesday brought Moore to the rainbow's end, with the inclusion of legends such as Player, Ballesteros and Palmer, and he will play in today's Par 3 Challenge alongside two of today's best in Davis Love III and Fred Couples. Moore was also selected Tuesday as one of eight Americans to play in the Palmer Cup, college golf's equivalent of the Ryder Cup, in July.

"That's all you can ask for," Moore said. "It's like a dream come true."

Reality will come crashing out of the dream Thursday morning, when the novelties and attractions of Augusta's sloping greens and blind dogleg shots become enemies. Moore enjoyed his practice rounds Sunday and Tuesday, but he also took note of the challenges ahead.

"You get on the greens and you think, holy cow, I could eight-putt this thing," Moore said. "They're a lot different than what you see on TV."

For now, Moore is lost in Masters nostalgia, marveling at Amen Corner and azaleas, rubbing elbows with golf's elite.

"Even the first time driving up Washington Avenue to Augusta, I got a little nervous," Moore said. "I tried to soak it up as much as I could."

While the spectacle of the Masters is unrivaled in golf, Moore tasted the pressure of a major at last year's U.S. Open at Bethpage. Although he shot 15-over in two rounds on the brutal Black Course and missed the cut, Moore learned about the mental stakes of golfing atop Olympus.

"Having played in the U.S. Open will really benefit him," UNLV coach Dwaine Knight said. "Having one major under your belt really helps you."

With guarded optimism, Moore feels that his Masters play will outdo his U.S. Open showing.

"I feel really confident, really relaxed and really confident with my swing," Moore said. "I'm playing well enough to do something good here."

The way Moore has played over the past 10 months, from his eighth-place finish at June's NCAA Championships to Thursday's first round, high confidence is to be expected. Moore won UNLV's host tournament, the Toyota Men's Collegiate Championship, at 8-under in March and has four other top-10 finishes in his college season.

"Winning our tournament was a big confidence booster for him," Knight said. "He's had a really consistent year."

Knight and Moore said wet conditions at Augusta could be beneficial for a couple of reasons: The rain will slow the notorious speedy greens and Moore is accustomed to the stop-and-go pace of playing in rain from his Seattle-area upbringing.

The weather forecast calls for rain through Friday morning.

"I've kind of grown up in it being from Seattle," Moore said. "I've played a lot of golf like this."

When his name is announced to Augusta's swelling galleries on the opening tee and Palmer stands behind his opening drive, Moore will find out just how much "golf like this" he has played.