Fowler dreams of meaningful Sunday walk up 18

Rickie Fowler dreams of taking a meaningful walk up 18 on Sunday, a kind of walk that means he's still in the hunt.

"If I go into the week with high expectations, there's a chance we could walk up 18 in contention," Fowler said. "That's what I dream about, the special walk up 18."

The 2010 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year was the first one up in the interview room on Monday, coming in after he finished a practice round with Peter Uihlein and Nathan Smith. Fowler and Uihlein were former teammates at Oklahoma State.

Fowler also had a practice round with Bubba Watson and Uihlein yesterday, and Fowler spoke highly of Watson's ability to curve and control the ball. Fowler said Watson would be one of his "top picks" this week as a contender.

Though this is Fowler's first time competing in the Masters Tournament, he got his first swings on the course this past week. Fowler said he played a round with Phil Mickelson and got to talk with local caddies about the course. Fowler said Mickelson birdied on 18 to beat him by one.

Fowler, who will also play in Wednesday's Par-3 Competition, said he was surprised to see so much of the Augusta National Golf Club's course when he first walked out of the clubhouse. He said he didn't realize how close some holes were to each other.

The first look at the course was just part of Fowler's dream of getting to compete for the green jacket.

"It's Augusta National, so if it doesn't fit your eye, you probably shouldn't be playing here," Fowler said.

As for his chances, Fowler said he's just hoping to be into contention when he goes into Sunday's final nine holes. Other than that, he sees this as a wide-open tournament.

"You see a lot of guys playing well right now, and it's tough to get out and dominate," Fowler said. "It just shows how deep the professional golf level is right now."