Smith, the world No.105, is at understandably long odds to win the Masters at his first attempt but he has already shown the biggest occasions don’t faze him when he finished tied fourth at the US Open past year.
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And Herman wasted no time giving partial credit to Trump for even being on the tour, after spending years in the golfing wilderness.
In Stenson and Dustin Johnson, he had golfing luminaries breathing down his neck throughout the afternoon. In doing so, Herman earned the last invitation to the Masters, starting Thursday.
“That was vital”, Herman said of his short-game improvement.
“I’ve been going through a stretch here where it hasn’t happened, but before you know it, you can win two or three in a short period of time, as well”.
“He gave me a lot of confidence, you know”. “I’m going to try once again to play a good final round and we’ll see where that takes us”, Stenson said.
Now Herman is headed to the first major of the year at Augusta National.
The life-changing aspect of events in Houston is highlighted by a cheque for US$1.2 million (S$1.62 million), plus a series of exemptions for top events.
Coupled with a best finish of 14th in 10 appearances in the Masters, that would appear to make Stenson an unlikely candidate to become the first European victor of a green jacket since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999.
Johnson rued the 11th, where he made double bogey, but was in generally upbeat mood as he looks to win a major for the first time. “I was able to edge out some really good players, some world-class players, and here we are”.
Henrik Stenson: Stenson recorded his eighth second-place finish since his last PGA Tour victory and while he’s certainly exhausted of being the runner-up, he has to be pleased with his form heading to Augusta. American journeymen Jim Herman and Jamie Lovemark carded 67 and 70 to head a crowded leaderboard at 11-under 205.
Jordan Spieth had cut a frustrated figure during his entire Houston stay, a matter that only briefly altered before he left for Georgia. He obviously is one of the game’s best players.
He then explained how Trump gave him “a shot in the arm” to encourage him to keep trying to make the PGA Tour. “I had eight water balls this week”. Don’t hit it in the water, we win. “I’ve never had a coach to help me”. “I know what I need to work on under pressure now for next week and everything is there”. So I staked him.
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The 38-year-old headed into the final round with a share of the lead and after remaining in contention throughout the day, made the decisive move on the 16th when he chipped in for birdie. So, when it settles down, I’m sure everything is going to be fine. “I feel awfully good”.
