Lee Elder, the pioneer for minority golfers at the Masters Tournament, was walking around Saturday ``so proud my chest is stuck way out.''

Elder, who became the first black to play in the Masters in 1975, has watched on television as Tiger Woods lapped the Masters field this week. He said Saturday night from his home in Pompano Beach, Fla., that he will be in Augusta today to join the gallery to crown the new king ``and be a part of history.''

``It's magnificent,'' Elder said. ``I'm so proud and so happy to see something of that nature come about. He's the bridge to the future and the past. He's the bridge to the past for me and the bridge to the future for him. I'm so happy and elated to see it happen.''

Elder and Woods are two of the four blacks to play in the Masters.

Jim Thorpe, the only other black on the PGA Tour, and Calvin Peete, who is on the Senior PGA Tour, are the others.

``Tiger is playing a different level of golf that I had to face,'' Thorpe said. ``He is not out there playing for money. He is out there playing for wins. I had to go out there and try to earn a dollar to support my family. He is hungry for victories and his mindset for that goal is fabulous.''

One black who didn't play in the Masters, Charlie Sifford, was also enthused. In the 1960s, he accused Masters chairman Clifford Roberts of bending the rules to keep him out of the event.

``It would be my dream come true for him to win Sunday,'' Sifford said. ``I tried so hard to get the opportunity to play there. I am not angry about it. The people at Augusta had their rules and I can respect that. I stood up for what was right and I am not ashamed of it. I would do the same thing over again.''

Woods was aware of those who cleared the path for his participation.

``I think they'll probably be going through several emotions,'' Woods said. ``One, I'm sure they wish it could have been them. But, also, I think in the meantime, I love those guys to death and they love me, and I know they are very proud of what I've done so far and hopefully tomorrow.''

Elder, who followed Woods in his debut rounds at the Masters two years ago, thinks today's final round is just Woods' first step.

``More people are just beginning to learn the name of Tiger Woods,'' Elder said. ``Now, they'll read about it every place. A minority winning the Masters and the first major - that's great for all blacks, even myself. And it's all because of the great things this young man has done.''