The Stanford grad rolled from the first tee at 3:32 p.m. Thursday, narrowly avoiding a marshal who inadvertently strode in front of his cart at the last second. Talk about the unforeseen hazards of the Open.

As the year dawned none of this would have seemed possible, even for a player of his ability: second-team all-America in 1994, the year the Cardinal won the NCAA title. Martin became the first to use motorized transportation in an Open after his accessibility lawsuit against the PGA Tour, a verdict the tour is appealing but the USDA chose to abide in spirit. Martin, who has the circulatory ailment Klippel-Trenauney-Webber Syndrome, tied for 23rd place

"I'm better off today than I was last week, said Martin, playing in not only his first major championship but his first event of PGA Tour caliber. "I learned a lot about course management and my game. (Playing in the Open)helped me a lot."

It also raised the visibility of the disabled. When Martin's group began play Thursday, the usual straggle of spectators was replaced by a throng of nearly 1,000, dotted with a dozen people in single-rider spectator carts. Martin had been granted a similar vehicle, but after Monday's practice round it was replaced with a two-seat model. "It's nothing against the cart itself, or the idea, because its got a lot of positives; he said, "and someday, I'd like to really embrace it because I think it would be great."

Martin admitted he nearly broke into tears after hearing the gallery's ovation at the first hole, where he made a scrambling par. But he also spoke of being labeled a historic figure. "I admit it saddens me a little bit, I never wished to have to ride to play golf," he said. "It hurts a little bit to have to get in the cart and play. But at the same time, l am grateful for it."