ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 16, 2008) - The 2008 Masters brought many new faces into the limelight on the PGA Tour, including the Met Area’s very own Johnson Wagner.  After winning his first PGA Tour event at the Shell Houston Open a week before, the victory propelled Wagner to being the last player to qualify for the Masters, rewarding him with a trip down Magnolia Lane.  Wagner, formerly of Garrison, N.Y., recalls his days playing in MGA championships and how he relies on that same work ethic today in PGA events.  “With those wins starting my professional career and ending my amateur career, it gave me a lot of confidence going on Tour. When I won my two Nationwide Tour events last year, I pulled on those accomplishments, and I did the same thing in Houston two weeks ago.”

As for the Masters, Wagner finished t-36, earning him $36,875 with his total earnings for the 2008 season currently at $1,085,569.  In regards to playing in his first Masters, Wagner says:

“As far as The Masters, it was a dream come true to be there and have all my family watching me. It was Sunday before I knew it, and it happened so fast. Obviously the first two days I played the back nine extremely well, so that gave me a lot of confidence that I belong. I got off to a bad start and was able to come back. I’m looking forward to taking that experience to the next three majors of the year and the rest of my career.”

   Wagner is not in the field this week at the Verizon Heritage, but you can continue following his exciting season online at www.mgagolf.org.