Three local golfers in Masters

Here’s a look at three professional golfers with Illinois connections who will be playing in their first Masters this week:

D.A. Points

Born: Dec. 1, 1976

Hometown: Pekin

College: University of Illinois

Qualified for Masters: Victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, where he and actor Bill Murray took the title.

On going to the Masters: “I’m so excited. There’s been a couple times, if I ever really wanted to go play there, I could maybe try to call all of the people I know to try to get a tee time or play with somebody. And the more I thought about it ... I just want to play in the Masters. You know, and the fact that it’s at Augusta National will make it wonderful. But to me to play in the Masters at Augusta National … that’s way up there.”

Kevin Streelman

Born: Nov. 4, 1978

Hometown: Winfield

College: Duke University

Qualified for Masters: With his finish in the FedEx Cup standings last season.

On going to the Masters: “We’ll be nervous, sure, but there will be a lot of excitement. To have my whole family together and friends coming in — it’s just going to be awesome, man. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Mark Wilson

Born: Oct. 31, 1974

Hometown: Elmhurst

College: University of North Carolina

Qualified for Masters: Victory in the Sony Open in January. Also won this year’s Phoenix Open and is atop the FedEx Cup points standings.

On going to the Masters: “You know, I’m anxious to play. Maybe a little scared about the length, though, from what I’ve heard. Some of the shorter hitters talk about how it’s kind of eliminated them from the field, like I hear Tom Watson talk about it. But I’m going to go in there with — I get goosebumps thinking about it to be honest with you. Part of me feels like I don’t belong, so I’m going to have to get over that hurdle and be ready to play.”