The Masters Tournament's media guide officially credits Tiger Woods with the lowest career scoring average of 70.85 for those with 25 or more rounds. Probably only one player in this year's field can claim to have a better lifetime mark.

J.J. Henry doesn't have any Masters experience, but his only trip around Augusta National Golf Club nine years ago produced a day he'll never forget.

"Perfect, perfect late February day - 70 degrees, no clouds," Henry said. "It was like playing indoors. I remember it like it was yesterday. It's the only chance I got and shot 67, so I was really fired up about it.

"You dream about getting a chance to play there. It's golf's ultimate destination. To catch it on such a perfect day and to walk up 18, this is what golf is all about."

During his senior year in college, Henry spent a long weekend in 1998 playing two Georgia gems - Peachtree Country Club in Atlanta and Augusta National - with Texas Christian teammate and friend Scott Volpitto, a graduate of Westside High School in Augusta whose family connections got them invited as guests.

Volpitto, who was a freshman on TCU's 1997-98 team with Henry, confirmed the feat.

"He shot 67," Volpitto said. "Absolutely, I remember very vividly. I wasn't in his group, but the group behind him. I don't remember what anybody else shot. Nothing else in the 60s."

Henry was just starting to break out as an amateur player in 1998. He went on to be the runner-up at the NCAA tournament, represented the United States on the Palmer Cup team and earned co-honors as the collegiate player of the year before turning professional in the summer.

"As he went through college, he got better and better and better, and by his senior year when I got there he was one of the best players in the country," Volpitto said. "It was just a matter of time before he got out there."

Henry naturally started his breakout year dreaming of a perfect day at Augusta National.

"You think how cool would it be to one day get back here," Henry said. "You watch it on TV and see all the shots and think, 'Wow, I've got one shot at this.' Now to be able to go back and actually play in the tournament is going to be something. In a way, you feel like you've kind of arrived as far as golf is concerned."

Henry - twice a runner-up in his PGA Tour rookie season in 2001 - arrived later than expected last year with his first career victory in his home state of Connecticut at the Buick Championship. That win vaulted him to a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team and at the Tour Championship.

At the Ryder Cup in Ireland, Henry earned a half-point in all three matches he was called on to play. That experience should bode well in his Masters debut.

"It's a different kind of pressure playing for your country and your team," Henry said. "You feel like you're walking into a heavyweight title fight at the Ryder Cup. Every hole to me felt like the 72nd hole at a major. I don't think there's any way you could be more nervous than going out there and playing for something a lot more than just yourself."

For that reason, Henry isn't heading to Augusta simply to enjoy himself. In his seventh PGA Tour season and turning 32 on Monday of Masters Week, he expects more from himself.

"As much as I can't wait to enjoy the whole week and everything it's all about, I'm not there just to soak it all in," he said. "I'm going to be a rookie at the Masters, but at the same time I'm a seven-year tour player, I've won, I've played in a Ryder Cup. Yeah, I'm going to be in awe of the whole situation and can't wait to get there and experience the whole week. But at the same time, I don't really feel like a true rookie, like a kid winning the Amateur or something like that. I'm going there to compete and contend for that matter and I think the golf course sets up perfectly for me."

Volpitto, a mini-tour player who will attend the Masters as he usually does, agrees.

"J.J.'s got a great game for Augusta," Volpitto said. "He hits the ball far. Great iron player. Hits a lot of greens. If he gets on his game there's not any doubt he can win out there. But it's such a pressure-packed place for a guy who's just starting to come out into his own. But he's got a great attitude. He never gets down and has a lot of confidence, which goes a long way. That's one of the reasons he's so good, is because he thinks he's that good."

Henry is confident without being remotely cocky.

"As a professional I felt like at some point in my career I'd get that opportunity (to play the Masters)," Henry said. "Whether it should have been three or four years ago or three or four years from now, I'm grateful for the opportunity."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.