Masters rookie Kevin Kisner gets tips from 1987 winner Larry Mize

Kevin Kisner went straight to the source for expert Masters advice Monday.

The Aiken native played a practice round with 1987 winner Larry Mize, an Au­gus­ta native. The two played the back nine alongside amateur Derek Bard.

“He was dropping all kinds of pearls on me,” Kis­ner said of the tips Mize shared. “I love playing with one of those guys that’s been around here and seen all of the conditions that we could possibly be in, and he showed me where he liked to play from and why.

“That’s really helpful for me because I’m going to get in positions that I’m uncomfortable and don’t know and to have that written in my (yardage) book will be really helpful.”

Mize, who defeated Greg Norman and Seve Balles­teros in a sudden-death playoff, said he enjoys helping first-time participants.

“You love the local connection,” he said. “This is a special week for anybody, but especially when you’re local. It makes it even more special. I’m excited about them being here.”

Kisner is making his Mas­ters debut this week, and already he has leaned on Augusta National Golf Club member Jeff Knox for advice during a few practice rounds.

One thing he learned is that the speed of the greens changes dramatically the week of the tournament.

“(Sunday) I was shocked at how much faster the greens were,” Kisner said. “Every­body can tell you that, but you’ve got to experience it yourself.”

Monday was the first time Kisner experienced playing inside the ropes at Augusta National in front of a gallery.

“It was really cool,” he said. “I’m trying to treat it like any other tour event, but it’s going to be difficult to do that.”

Kisner followed the tradition of skipping a ball on the water and onto the green at the par-3 16th, but he had mixed results.

“I hit it fat,” Kisner said with a laugh. “But they said I got the most skips, so that was good.”

It’s been nearly 30 years since Mize slipped on the green jacket, but he knows better than most the pressure local participants can expect this week. He is happy to help.

“They know most of it. They know what they’re doing,” Mize said. “Kevin has been out here for a number of years. I just throw some things out there in case it may help them a little bit, and I hope it does.”

Kisner plans to play 18 holes Tuesday, then nine holes Wednesday before teeing it up in the Par-3 Contest.

He’ll have his daughter Kate serving as a caddie, but he’s already been informed by his wife that his tee time in the fun contest coincides with her usual nap time. He plans to play with Bill Haas and Hunter Mahan.

“We all have kids the same age so that’s why we try to do it like that,” Kisner said.