NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It's a tradition unlike any other, and it’s a tournament Brandt Snedeker's dreamed of winning all his life. Now the former Vanderbilt star has to wait seven more months -- just like everyone else -- for his next shot at The Masters.
The tournament was officially rescheduled this past week for Nov. 12th-15th in the fall. And with each passing day, the chances of the 39 year old Snedeker grabbing that elusive green jacket become more difficult.
“I have to work a lot harder now to feel the way I felt when I was 25,” Snedeker said. “I’ve had a lot more aches and pains creep up over the years, so I’m trying to be more intelligent about how I take care of my body now.”
As he approaches the backend of his PGA career, Snedeker’s trying to make intelligent decisions about how and when he’s playing. After battling injuries and inconsistencies in recent years, he reconnected with his first professional swing coach Todd Anderson last year.
He also decided to lighten his schedule, reducing his tournaments from 28 or 29 to more like 21 or 22, in an effort to protect his body. The result is a happy and healthy golfer.
“The first month of the season was probably as good as I’ve felt in four our five years, healthwise,” Snedeker said. “I haven’t had any really nagging injuries to start the year out. I’m just trying to be smart about what I eat, how I sleep, all these little things that can maybe add four to five percent feeling better, and hopefully get me through a year without being injured.”
But if there’s one tournament that’s always circled on the Nashville native’s calendar it’s The Masters.
“Every memory I have of golf growing up, it all starts with The Masters,” Snedeker said. “It kind of symbolizes the golf season starting in Nashville because that was the time the weather started getting good and you wanted to be outside and playing golf. You know, I just always loved it. And getting to play there as an amateur only kind of increased that love I had for it. It’s one of those places that every time I go it puts a smile on my face, I love being there, and one of these years I’m going to figure it out.”
Snedeker’s come close at Augusta National before. He’s finished in the top 10 three times.
In his very first appearance at the Masters as a professional in 2008, he began the final round in the last pairing. But a disastrous approach shot on 13 landed in Rae’s Creek, dooming him to a final round 77.
He had another shot to make a Sunday charge up the leaderboard in 2013, but shot a final round 75 and finished sixth. Disappointments that linger with the nine time winner on the PGA Tour.
“I hear people often say, ‘would you do anything different?’” Snedeker said. “I’d be stupid to say I wouldn’t do anything different because I didn’t win, right? If I did the same thing all over again I’d still lose. Of course I’d do something different.”
There’s nothing Snedeker would rather win than a green jacket. But he insists he’s not feeling any pressure to validate his career, and believes he’s ready for the challenge in November, or whenever he tees off next at The Masters.
“At this point in my career I’m like, ‘why not?’” Snedeker said. “It’s not going to define me any one way or another by winning it or not winning it. It’s a different feeling. Now I’ve played on Ryder Cup teams and been in those situations that are really high stress, so I know I can handle it. I know I can deal with it, so that part doesn’t worry me anymore. I can make sure my games ready, and I can kind of be there and trust that it’s going to be there for all four days.”
