By Tim Rosaforte
Photos By Donald Miralle
April 18, 2008
When Brandt Snedeker was the U.S. Amateur Public Links champion, he would drive the six hours from his home in Nashville to Augusta National to practice for the 2004 Masters. The club gave him playing privileges as it does all "invitees," and the likable Vanderbilt graduate became an honored guest. Playing the course in less than three hours, he would squeeze in 36, sometimes 54 holes a day. From up close, he saw what it was like to own a green jacket -- and it made him want one. "It was almost like I was a member," Snedeker said. "I wore the place out."
Figuring he played 40 to 50 rounds before returning this year -- including the four trips when he made the cut as an amateur -- Snedeker felt at home when he returned last week for his first Masters as a professional. For three rounds he was the patrons' Prince Charming, the most popular player on the course, and perhaps around the world, as he engaged everyone with his fast play and freewheeling flair. With his strawberry blond hair flipped up in his retro visor, and an air of ease and confidence, he pulled off shots -- like the lob wedge he holed from the putting surface on the sixth green Friday -- and played with the daring of a young Tom Watson.
But Sunday in the final group with South African Trevor Immelman, he faced a course that was unlike any he had encountered in those road trips to Augusta or on the PGA Tour, an experience that can come only in the final group of a major, and Snedeker wasn't ready for it. The place that always made him feel welcome was making him pay his dues. It was the type of meltdown reminiscent of Watson in his early days in professional golf, and with the pain came some tears.
After smiling all week and stoically handling himself until the final putt was holed, Snedeker exited the scoring hut behind the 18th green, his face hidden in a towel. Up against the wall of the press building 10 minutes later, leaning against a golf cart, he tried to compose himself before his news conference, but that took some time. Finally, he laughed, and with a big sigh headed to the door. Surrounding him were two of his closest friends, manager Jimmy Johnston and Augusta National member Toby Wilt. But when he sat at the podium, he still wasn't ready. Several times he broke down, the interview ultimately ending with Snedeker saying, "I have no clue why I am so emotional. I was laughing outside. I'm crying in here. I couldn't tell you [how I'm feeling]."
After playing the first 54 holes in nine under par, after cruising through some of the toughest holes at Augusta National, after finishing birdie-birdie Friday and with a closing birdie Saturday, after tripping his way into and out of Amen Corner, all that free form and daring were stripped away. His "Look and Shoot" putting style went cold, his 4-iron landed in the waters of Rae's Creek on the 13th hole, and he learned the same lesson his hero, Watson, did in the 1970s before he went on to rack up eight major titles. Not once did the speedy Snedeker blame his collapse on Immelman's slow pace of play. "Just a rough day out there," was his overview. "You know, it's hard to put that much effort into something and get so little out of it. But it's just part of life, part of growing up. Obviously, I need a lot more of that. It's just tough right now."
Snedeker played the Par 3 Contest and the first two rounds with Watson, who marveled at the young man's imagination. It was their first meeting. As a youth, Snedeker emulated Watson and his brisk pace, played a set of Ram irons -- including the Tom Watson signature wedges -- and his haircut reflected Watson's era as well, long and flowing, tucked under headgear like Watson used to wear. Even Watson said, "He reminds me of me when I was 25."
- Text Size:
- Small Text
- Medium Text
- Large Text
