Golf-Masters-Forgotten man Hamilton delivers Augusta reminder
AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 10 (Reuters) - American Todd Hamilton, golf's forgotten man since his surprise victory at the 2004 British Open, was back in the limelight at the U.S. Masters on Friday.
The 43-year-old buried memories of seven missed cuts in nine starts on the 2009 PGA Tour by moving into contention with a two-under-par 70 for a six-under tally of 138.
"On paper my year has not been that great," Hamilton told reporters after carding an eagle, four birdies and four bogeys in swirling winds at Augusta National. "But it wasn't to the point where I lost all hope.
"I may have had some 74s and 75s but a drive five yards left here or five yards right there a couple of times during the round and those 74s and 75s could have been even-pars.
"It doesn't look very good but it wasn't to the point where I was going to quit playing the game."
The golfing public became aware of Hamilton at Royal Troon five years ago when he beat South African Ernie Els in a four-hole playoff.
A rank outsider going into the tournament, Hamilton held off the former world number one to clinch his second PGA Tour title.
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