Quigley blog: Making cut is pretty cool for new dad

In his second round at Augusta National after the birth of his daughter, Brett Quigley was a lot more focused on his golf. And though he would've been happy to go home to his family Friday night, he's thrilled to have made the cut in his first try.

Editor's note: Brett Quigley came to Augusta National this week to play in his first Masters. He had to make a quick trip home to Jupiter, Fla., though, when his wife Amy went into labor. Lillian Sage Augusta Quigley was born in the week hours of Wednesday morning, but Quigley made it back in time for the first round. He shot his second straight 76 on Friday to make the cut and filed this blog after the round.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Today was a bit of a blur. I had some good chances on the back nine to shoot under par and I just didn't do it. So that was disappointing. I hit a lot of good shots, though.

I was definitely more focused on golf today. I still had the pictures of (wife) Amy and (new daughter) Lily in my yardage book and I was wearing my hospital bracelet again. But I think I got the intensity back on the 14th hole. I hit a bad tee shot and it kind of landed on some rocks. That got me a little, shall we say, fired up. That's when I was back to thinking about golf. I actually hit a pretty good chip out there and made a good par.

I knew I needed to make some birdies. All of a sudden, I had some speed in my swing again and it felt normal. I played well from there out. I hit a lot of good shots on the back nine. I just didn't capitalize when I had the opportunity on the 13th and 15th holes. I had birdie putts of about 5 or 6 feet on each of those par 5s, but not knowing the greens, I under-read both of them.

I had another nice chance at the 17th hole. That 12-footer was the only putt I really tried to make all week, though, and I paid the price. I knocked it 6 feet by. Then I bogeyed the 18th hole and I was worried that was really going to cost me. As it turns out, though, I made the cut because anyone within 10 shots of the lead gets to play the weekend. So that's great. I told the reporters after the round if I made the cut, that would be incredible, and if I got to go home, that might be even better.

I'll be ready tomorrow. I wasn't that sharp the first two days, but that was to be expected with everything that's transpired. The hardest thing for me this week has been judging the speed and my short game. I love this golf course, though. I think it suits my game and I look forward to having a couple more chances to see what I can do. My uncle Dana had said he might come if I made it until Sunday, so well have to see what he decides to do. I should still have some of those "It's a girl" cigars for him.

The fans were great again today. Literally every hole, just like yesterday, I heard people saying, "Congrats. Way to go, dad. Poppa" -- lots of things like that. It was pretty intimate, really. Of course, if we hadn't had the baby and everybody hadn't written about it, people probably would have been saying, "Who's that guy playing with Vijay?" The two starters on the first tee both told me they loved that we put Augusta in Lily's name. A couple of Augusta National members mentioned the same thing in the clubhouse. The reaction has been really nice.

I talked with Amy before I teed off this morning and everything was going well. They are probably going to let her come home tomorrow, which is great. My mom stayed with her last night, and she'll bring Amy and Lily home.

On the other hand, things were crazy at our house here in Augusta last night. One of our friends from a restaurant in Jupiter came up this week and has been cooking for us. There were a bunch of people at the house. I had a hard time falling asleep. I was pretty amped up. I am normally a 9:30 fall-asleep-kind-of-guy and I was up till midnight last night. That will change, I guess. I'll be sleeping at odd times, napping at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I look forward to it, though.

I'm also ready for diapers. It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I changed two before I left. The nurse asked me if I wanted to learn how to change a diaper and I said sure. She put Lily down there and said, "OK, go do it." I was like, oh, great. But I did. I'm an old pro now.

I'm just tickled pink with everything that has happened. It's been amazing being part of the history here. Just to finally be in the clubhouse in the locker room is really something. Playing Amen Corner. Playing with Vijay and right behind Tiger the first two rounds and getting to watch both of them play -- is amazing. It's been an incredible journey all week. Going home and witnessing that miracle and coming back and playing in the Masters for the first time is simply a dream.