Dan Forsman saw history unfolding at the 1997 Masters Tournament and decided he had to witness it firsthand.

Forsman missed the cut that year, but stayed around to see if a young pro named Tiger Woods could keep up his record pace.

"I was there, I had my hotel paid for the week and I'd heard a lot about Tiger Woods," said Forsman, who didn't know Woods at the time.

"I'd heard the stories about where he was driving the ball. Frankly, I didn't know much about him. I'd never seen him in competition."

Forsman decided he'd follow Woods for most of the final round.

"Here's this guy and prospects were that he was going to make history as the first one of color to win the Masters," he said. "To think of that in terms of historical perspective and also the amazing stories I'd hear about where he was driving the ball."

Woods didn't disappoint. In becoming the first minority golfer and the youngest player (he was 21) to win the Masters, Woods set a new tournament record (18-under 270) and a record for largest margin of victory (12 shots).

"I saw (Sports Illustrated writer) Michael Bamberger out on the course and he said, 'What are you doing out here?' I said I just want to see it. I want to see what the best is. I said I've seen it today.

"I remember a couple of shots (Woods) hit that took amazing imagination. He showed incredible nerve.

"This was truly a case of a guy who was in his element," Forsman said of Woods. "He had a tremendous gift and ability to play shots you have to play under the most extreme pressure. It was marvelous to watch."

Forsman, who played in six Masters and hasn't qualified since 1997, considers himself a golf historian.

Before he followed Woods that day in 1997, he had done the same thing one year in the British Open when Nick Faldo and Greg Norman were sparring. And Forsman loved to watch six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus play.

"I was always inspired watching the Golden Bear," Forsman said.

"I didn't get a chance to watch Arnold Palmer (in his prime) but I realize we are where we are because of the great contribution of the players in the past."

With his career winding down on the PGA Tour, Forsman is glad he made the effort to see the greats of the game in person.

"It's one of the ironic and sad things about the game, that you get into your own game and very seldom do we allow ourselves to go out and appreciate how good these players are and tip your cap to them," he said.

"It's so seldom we're able to go out there and appreciate the entertainment value and enjoyment of watching a great artist perform at the highest level. There's something very sweet and special about that."

Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.