Kisner shoots 77 in Masters debut

When Kevin Kisner rolled in a short eagle putt at the second hole Thursday, his cheering section erupted with high fives and fist bumps.

The Aiken native made his Masters debut by shooting 5-over 77. The 7-foot eagle putt on the second hole was the highlight of the day and was set up by a 295-yard second shot on the downhill hole. He will receive a pair of crystal highball glasses for his special accomplishment.

“I get a little crystal, don’t I,” Kisner asked after his round. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

On a windy day, Kisner said his tee-to-green play was solid but he lamented missed opportunities on the greens.

“I executed my game plan like I wanted except I made no putts and I made a really silly mistake on No. 11,” he said. “I really can’t be that upset.”

At No. 11, historically one of the toughest holes at Augusta National Golf Club, Kisner missed the green to the right. But his ball was a little muddy from the overnight rain, and he didn’t hit his chip like he wanted.

“I caught it a touch thin and it had no spin on it,” Kisner said. “It was straight downwind to the water. Just a silly mistake. I could have chunked it up there and made bogey.”

Kisner missed short putts at Nos. 14, 15 and 16, and that leaves him needing a good round today if he wants to make the 36-hole cut.

“I’m going to have to make birdies,” he said. “A couple under will probably do it, and that’s the goal.”

Kisner teed off alongside 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott and Brooks Koepka.

His first tee shot drifted right of the fairway, and he missed a putt for par. But he gathered himself on No. 2.

Kisner’s mother, Christy, and his sister and brother-in-law were among those who witnessed the eagle.

“It was a proud moment,” his mother said of seeing her son play in his first Masters.

Childhood friend Jason Rabun chatted with Kisner after he teed off on No. 2.

“I think that showed he’s a little relaxed, and he thrives in this kind of moment,” Rabun said.