For 24 years when Ben Crenshaw has needed encouragement in the Masters Tournament, he's always been able to turn to Carl Jackson.

Last spring, it was the 54-year-old Jackson who needed to turn to Crenshaw.

``So many times I've said, `Ben, you've got to reach deeper,''' said Jackson, Crenshaw's regular caddie at the Masters. ``I didn't know what I was asking him to do until I had to really reach deep for another reason.''

Late last March, just weeks before the 2000 Masters, doctors discovered tumors on the wall of Jackson's colon. He underwent surgery immediately and suffered the chemotherapy.

Jackson, whose is nicknamed ``Skillet'' because in youth baseball he couldn't throw hard enough to break an egg, was forced to watch the Masters on television as Len Stricker carried Crenshaw's bag at Augusta.

Crenshaw called Jackson immediately after his surgery and offered him his full support and encouragement.

``The love and care that was in his voice, I just started boo-hooing,'' Jackson confessed. ``When Ben Crenshaw cares about something he can put it into words and it's very touching. When you're laying in a hospital bed, that gives you something to grab onto.''

After the year hiatus, Jackson is back at Augusta and back together with Crenshaw - a player-caddie combination that won Masters titles in 1984 and '95.

``It's fantastic,'' Crenshaw said. ``The whole club was worried about him. We all were. He looks fantastic. We're happy for his health.''

Thursday was not the reunion they'd hoped for. Despite glimmers of his old game that Jackson recognized on the practice range, Crenshaw struggled through the first round.

Crenshaw three-putted the 18th for 81, his second-worst round at Augusta. The two-time champion hasn't broken par at the Masters since doing so in four consecutive rounds in his 1995 victory.

``I was happy on the practice tee this morning,'' Jackson said. ``The way he hit practice shots was just as good as when it happened in '95. We know he's on a good path, but it just didn't happen today. He'll be all right. Now our only plan is to shoot 65 (today).''

Still, Jackson is just happy to be back between the ropes where he's spent the past 40 years.

``It's a blessing,'' he said. ``This is something I've looked forward to all my life. At one point last year I thought I may never do it again. I'm back and I feel strong.''

So strong, in fact, that Jackson worried that his life was going too well.

``I feel so good I hope I don't go around the corner and drop dead,'' he said with a laugh.