Wilson returns from Magnolia Lane to Gasoline Alley

By Steve Keating

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Amateur Steve Wilson ended his unlikely journey from Gasoline Alley to Magnolia Lane when the petrol station owner failed to make the cut at the U.S. Masters on Friday.

The 39-year-old shot rounds of 79 and 75 but left Augusta National with some magical memories, highlighted by his nine-year-old son caddying for him in the pre-tournament, par-three championship.

For Wilson, who has never earned a single dollar on the PGA Tour, the memories were as priceless as a Masters Green Jacket as he prepared to return home to Gautier, Mississippi where he will be back at work on Saturday manning the deli counter and pumping petrol.

"I'm heading home. I've been gone a long time, I'm ready to get back," he told reporters. "It's been a lot of fun, a wonderful experience.

"It's what I thought it would be, a great fun time and now I go back to the real world.

"I'll be back to work tomorrow, 10am, 11am like normal."

After bouncing around golf's minor circuits for 10 years without success, Wilson traded in his dream of playing on the PGA Tour for a part-ownership in a gas station and to raise a family.

The golf itch remained, though, and after having his amateur status returned he secured a Masters invitation with victory at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in September.