|
HILTON HEAD ISLAND – With his long blond locks securely tucked beneath his Bridgestone Golf visor, Brandt Snedeker flashed his trademark smile that made him a crowd favorite last week at Augusta National. The 27-year-old native of Nashville, Tenn. had finally recharged and put an emotional Masters Sunday behind him.
“Sunday night was tough kind of sitting there having dinner, having a glass of wine trying to decompress and figure out what just happened,” Snedeker said Tuesday at Harbour Town Golf Links the site of the Verizon Heritage. “Monday I couldn’t have felt more refreshed and excited to be coming here. So it’s kind of a complete 180. I don’t know why it was that way. It was just because I got a chance to reflect and realize that life is not really that bad. I still get to play a game for a living. I still get to come here and have a great week.
“If you had told me at the beginning of the week of the Masters I was going to finish tied for third and lose to Tiger Woods and Trevor Immelman, I would have probably said I’d take it right now and watch it on TV,” he added. “You’ve just got to have some perspective.”
Aside from the perspective and valuable experience gained by playing in the final group of a major championship on both Saturday and Sunday, Snedeker benefitted in a variety of ways from his strong showing at Augusta.
He moved closer to the Top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings; he currently sits at 32nd on that list. He is on his way to making good on a preseason goal of finishing in the Top 30 on the FedEx Cup points list, which would put him in the TOUR Championship. He jumped 18 spots on that list, from 42nd to 24th. Snedeker also put himself into the Top 10 on the Ryder Cup points list. And somewhat of an afterthought is of course the $435,000 he pocketed for his tie for third. All in all a good effort for a player who was making his first start at the Masters as a professional and only his second overall.
“I accomplished everything I set out to do for the week except win, so it was a great week.”
But Snedeker’s outstanding performance was in some ways overshadowed by his emotional post round press conference that left him, “crying like a 16-year-old girl who had been left without a date for the prom," as he put it.
“When it comes to family and things that I love, I am very emotional, and that just shows you how much I love that golf tournament,” said Snedeker. “If there’s one tournament in my life that I would want to win, it would be that one. I came very close to doing it, and just kind of split over, and I tried to pull myself together but couldn’t do it. That’s just part of growing up. I’ll figure it out.”
The last 48 hours or so have been a rollercoaster for Snedeker who has gone from PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, recognizable by those in the golf industry and not many others, to fodder for ESPN Sportscenter debates.
His strong play at the Masters has also put him on the short list of favorites at the Verizon Heritage this week and has attracted more fans and well-wishers than normal. Many have even imparted their condolences for his disappointing finish at Augusta.
“I can’t believe people actually feel sorry for me,” Snedeker said. “People have actually stopped me on the golf course, and I cannot tell you how many people were following me playing today or at dinner last night saying they felt so bad for what happened.
“It’s been unbelievable, that kind of support,” he continued. “I cannot thank them enough because it really makes me feel great about what I did there and kind of helps me heal about it and gets me excited about playing this week and hopefully trying to do it all over again, hopefully have a little bit better Sunday.”
Snedeker’s new celebrity was apparent on Tuesday, as a crowd of 50 or 60 followed his group, which also included New Zealand’s Tim Wilkinson and Ryan Armour, on a day when the crowds were sparse at Harbour Town.
Snedeker should attract some of the larger crowds throughout the tournament over the first two days of competition as he is paired with Ernie Els.
Last year Snedeker finished 16th at the Heritage and is feeling confident heading into this year’s tournament.
“I definitely think my game is a whole lot sharper now than it was last year and even in ’05 when I played here,” he said. “I love this golf course. It’s right up my alley.
“I just feel so relaxed being here,” he added. “The people here are great. We’ve rented a house this week and just kind of could not have asked for a better week following what happened last week. It’s put me in a great frame of mind for this week and I cannot wait to tee it up.”
|
