They were the talk of the town -- their hometown of Milton, Fla. -- and made quite an impression the past week in Augusta.

Best friends and former high school teammates Boo Weekley, pictured, and Bubba Watson both finished at 3-over-par 291. (Chris Thelen/Staff)

Heath Slocum, Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley qualified as a success in their first Masters Tournament, making the cut and playing the weekend.

Slocum, who said before the fourth round that he was playing for pride after shooting 77 on Saturday, posted 69 to finish at 5-over.

"We weren't only playing for ourselves," said Slocum, 34, a teammate of Weekley at Milton High and his best friend. "We're playing for the Milton community as well. I think what we were doing was trying to have Milton be proud of us. I definitely think they're proud of us this week because everybody's played relatively well."

Watson, 29, who was a few years behind Slocum and Weekley at Milton High, put up a second consecutive 73 and finished at 3-over. Weekley, 34, entered the day tied for 20th at 2-under and finished at 3-over after shooting 77.

"For all the guys and our hometown, it's been unbelievable," said Watson, the 111th-ranked player in the world. "It's great to show kids where we're from that they can become something in life.

"If they work hard, they can achieve their goals. If they have a dream to build airplanes, then they can do that, too. Whatever their dream is, they can accomplish it."

While the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Watson is one of the tour's longest hitters, having led in driving distance his first two years, the 5-foot-8, 150-pound Slocum is a scrapper.

Best friends and former high school teammates Bubba Watson, pictured, and Boo Weekley both finished at 3-over-par 291. (Chris Thelen/Staff)

Weekley (6-0, 210), ranked 48th in the world, has some of Watson's power and Slocum's accuracy and has been the most consistent of the three.

Each had to apply his style and skills to a daunting course in difficult conditions.

"I've had to base my career on being a grinder," said Slocum, the No. 94 player in the world. "With the length I have, I can't really take advantage and make tons of birdies all the time. I grind a lot of rounds out. Today was really no different. I was determined to go out and shoot a good round."

Heath Slocum tees off on the 17th hole in the final round. He finished tied for 33rd at 5-over par. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)