AUGUSTA, Georgia, CMC – Despite his meltdown on a dramatic final day at Augusta National on Sunday, Trinidad & Tobago’s Stephen Ames said he was still pleased with his fifth outing at the Masters tournament.
The 44-year old, who plays under the Canadian colours, finished tied for 20th at 2-under 286 after shooting a 74. He had started the final day tied for 10th with the likes of World No. 1 Tiger Woods and his American counterpart Phil Mickelson.
Ames, however, struggled with four bogeys as Argentine Angel Cabrera came from behind to beat American Kenny Perry in a playoff for the coveted green jacket.
“Today was probably the first time for the week I felt really comfortable on the greens with my putter,” Ames said.
“My speed was really good. I hit a lot of really good putts that didn’t go in the hole, unfortunately. And coming down the end, I kind of ran out of gas to some extent.”
Ames started well with a birdie on the 575-yard, par-5 2nd but dropped shots on the 5th and 9th to make the turn at 1-over.
On the back nine, he was unable to pick up the crucial shots he needed and a birdie on the par-5 13th was overshadowed by bogeys on the 14th and 18th.
Ames, who by missing out on a top-16 finish will not receive an automatic invitation to next year’s Masters, said he had managed to deal with his final day frustration at Augusta pretty well. “I was a bit disappointed that things weren’t happening. I took it in stride and just got home,” he said.
Ames earned US$71 400 for his efforts in the tournament.
