Masterful year
2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman said he will always be proud to be a former winner, but was a bit sad to see his year end.
“I’ve had so many good memories this year and this week,” he said after finishing his final round with a three-under 69 for a four-day total of two-under-par 286.
“The best was probably the Masters Champions Dinner and seeing all those great players together. The second was seeing Gary Player come up the 18th fairway for the final time after what he meant to the game and to me personally.
Immelman said he wished he could have played better in his defense, but looks to return to Augusta National for the rest of his career.
Near Record
While he came close, Masters Champion Angel Cabrera failed to become the first player ever to shoot all four rounds in the 60s.
After rounds of 68-68-69, he had a final round 71, good enough for a playoff win over Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry.
“I was just trying to get the ball on the green and make birdies, but I will take this,” Cabrera said.
Worth the wait
Arkansas native Ken Duke dressed in Razorback colors for the final round. He said his first Masters experience has been everything he could have hoped for and then some.
“It’s been just great,” said Duke. “I’ve talked to a lot of great people and seen a lot of friends.”
Duke made the cut in his first Masters at age 39 and was one of the older Masters rookies ever.
The winner of the 1995 Arkansas State Open, Duke worked his way through a series of mini-tours, was the leading money on the Canadian Tour, and has played both the Nationwide and the PGA Tour.
Sunday lowball
California native John Merrick, playing in his first Masters, recorded the low round of the day with a six-under-par 66. He only had one bogey (No. 9) and seven birdies.
He birdied holes three, five and seven on the first nine and four straight (Nos. 13-16) on the second nine.
“I can’t wait (to come back). It was a fun day out there. The weather was great, the course was set up for low scores, so I’m glad to put one up today,” Merrick said.
He finished tied for 6th at 280 and earned an invitation for 2010.
