The Loop

Brandt Snedeker says he's 'ready' this time

April 14, 2013

From the April 14 edition of Golf World Daily:

It wasn't long ago that Brandt Snedeker was the thinking man's Masters favorite.

The 32-year-old Tennessean had posted an early 2013 victory and two runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, seen his reputation as the best putter in the game solidified, and had a Masters T-3 in 2008 on his resume. But a rib injury suffered in his impressive win at Pebble Beach in early February forced him to withdraw from the WGC - Accenture Match Play and Doral, and, after healing, he missed the cut at both Bay Hill and Houston.

/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2015/07/20/55ad75e4b01eefe207f6bf16_golf-tours-news-blogs-local-knowledge-assets_c-2013-04-blog-brandt-snedeker-0414-thumb-470x274-95882.jpg

Suddenly a Masters dark horse, Snedeker intensely prepared for a week at Augusta-simulated Frederica GC on St. Simons Island, Ga., and opened with two steady 70s.

Yesterday he started with 12 pars before igniting for three birdies for a bogey-free 69. Tied for the lead with Angel Cabrera at seven under, Snedeker is displaying the passion that led him to break down in tears after his Sunday 77 five years ago.

"I've spent 32 years of my life getting ready for tomorrow," he said. "It's all been a learning process, and I am completely, 100 percent sure that I'm ready to handle whatever happens. I'm going to be disappointed if I don't win, period."

On second thought, make him the emotional man's favorite.