Quigley left Augusta National in the middle of his practice round today after getting a call that his wife, Amy, was about to give birth to the couple's first child. Amy Quigley had stayed behind at the couple's home in Jupiter, Fla.

''I'm thrilled,'' Quigley said. ''I got a call at 5:30 this morning. She thought there were some problems, so she went to the hospital. But it turned out everything was fine. Then I just got a call on the 11th green and she said her water broke, so I'm going home.''

Amy Quigley wasn't due until April 16, so her husband came to Augusta National. After 10-plus seasons on the PGA Tour, he'd finally earned a spot in the field after finishing 20th on the money list last year.

But he brought a beeper, and said he would return home if he got a call that his wife was going into labor.

Sure enough, the call came Tuesday afternoon.

While Quigley collected his things, his father and caddie, Paul, was running around down at the caddie shack, a grin spreading across his face.

''Amy's having the baby!'' the soon-to-be grandfather shouted over his shoulder at a friend, who yelled back, ''Congratulations.''

Tee times hadn't come out when Quigley left, but he said he hoped he would still be able to play in the tournament.

But that's up to his wife and the baby. The Quigleys are expecting a girl.

''Optimistically, I'd love to come back,'' he said. ''If everything goes great today or tonight, I'll try to come back either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, depending on my tee time.

''Like I said it just depends on how momma and the baby are doing.''