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HARARE - Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge finished a credible tied for 37th on his first appearance at Augusta National for the Masters over the weekend.
De Jonge shot rounds of 74, 72, 76, 73 for a gross total of seven-over 295 as he finished tied on the same score with three other golfers, Vijay Singh, Billy Horschel and Thongchai Jaidee.
The first five holes at Augusta National proved to be the undoing of an otherwise excellent showing for de Jonge at his first Masters Tournament.
Playing these holes at +6 for the week is the difference between his +7 and a top 20 finish.
The Zimbabwean had generally done well in the first two rounds before that disastrous third round four-over 76.
De Jonge never gained any traction on that terrible Saturday afternoon, and in fighting the course, the Zimbabwean put himself of contention for a Green Jacket.
After the first two rounds, the Harare-born golfer was well in touching distance of leader Jordan Speith's pace but that third round capitulation ensured that he went into Sunday’s final round 11 shots behind the American rookie.
In the end, Bubba Watson won his second Masters tournament by three shots after holding of the challenge of Speith.
Trailing the talented Spieth by two strokes after seven holes, the left-handed Watson took advantage of a faltering run by his fellow American around the turn as he upped his own game, then maintained control on the back nine.
Watson, who landed his first Masters title with a thrilling playoff win over South African Louis Oosthuizen in 2012, mixed five birdies with two bogeys to card a three-under-par 69 on a warm but mainly overcast afternoon.
Spieth, at 20 aiming to eclipse Tiger Woods by becoming the youngest player to win the Masters, had to settle for a share of second place at five under after signing off with a 72, finishing level with Swede Jonas Blixt (71).
Pony-tailed Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, at the ripe age of 50 and aiming to surpass Jack Nicklaus by becoming the oldest Masters winner, placed fourth after also carding a 71.
