Autograph seekers in full force at Masters

Standing along the walkway near the Masters practice range, hundreds of patrons spent part of Tuesday seeking autographs from the top players in the world.

Jordan Spieth stopped to sign – as did Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Trevor Immelman, Ross Fisher and Rickie Fowler.

“I know they have a busy week, but I love to see players allot some time for their fans,” said Ginny Guest, of Atlanta. “Especially for kids who truly look up to them.”

PHOTOS: Tuesday's Young Autograph Seekers

The Masters designates autograph areas for junior patrons (16 and younger) so they don’t have to compete with adult souvenir seekers.

Not far away, though, were numerous adults pleading with golfers to keep signing after they reached the end of the children’s line.

“I’m sure some of these men are going back home and putting their flags on eBay,” said Rusty Garrett, 46, who’s attending his first Masters. “But I just want a few signatures to take home to my kids. It would make them so happy if I showed up with (Phil) Mickelson or (Jordan) Spieth’s autograph on a hat.”

Autograph seeking by adults became controversial earlier this year when Spieth refused to sign for collectors after a round at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Unhappy with Spieth, the men yelled obscenities at him with children in listening distance.

“Go get a job instead of trying to make money off of the stuff that we have been able to do,” Spieth said afterwards about the incident to the media. “We like to sign stuff for charity stuff or for kids. If you ask anybody universally, it’s the same way. It’s just, they frustrate us.”

Garrett agrees that if adults are seeking profit, it’s “totally fine” for golfers to not adhere to their requests.

“I mean, I agree with Jordan,” Garrett said. “It’s not right for these men to turn around and profit off of someone else’s signature. At the same time, it could ruin it for the normal guy who wants to bring something home to hang on the wall.”