A tribute to those who laid the groundwork.

I am blessed to be the product of two cultures. I am equally proud of each.

My Mom has taught me much about my Thai heritage while Pop has given me a lot of insight into the struggles African-Americans have faced just trying to gain equal footing in this country. He grew up in Kansas, went to Kansas State on a scholarship and was the first African-American baseball player in the Big Eight Conference.

That was in the 1940s and '50s. He met a lot of the Negro League players during their barnstorming days. The influence of those guys made it possible for him to keep going in a sport he loved. Pop helped me draw the historical connection between baseball and golf. I also did some investigating on my own in my sport to understand how the PGA Tour came to be a place where anyone could play, because that wasn't always the case.

In the spring of 1995, I went to receive an honor at a little 9-hole course in Indianapolis called Douglass Park. I knew from my research that some of the great black players such as Teddy Rhodes, Bill Spiller and Charlie Sifford played there in the old days when the United Golfers Association was the only place they could compete. I couldn't imagine such restraints on my career, but as I looked out over the tiny course, I could envision them in competition.

A month later, I played in the Masters for the first time as U.S. Amateur champion. I must admit that the first time I drove down Magnolia Lane I wasn't thinking about the tournament's great tradition. Instead, I thought about the great African-American players who never got a chance to play there.

After my victory in the '97 Masters, I was even more appreciative of the pioneers who made it possible for everyone to enjoy this great game. I believe my success has been a little vindication for them. I know it has made Mom and Pop proud. Maybe it has evened the playing field a little, too.