12th Hole De-Rails Marcel Siems Masters Bid
By Les Bailey
After winning the Troph’ee Hassan in Morocco last week, and missing the Masters by 0.025 points, German golfer, Marcel Siem asked for, and received a sponsor’s exemption to compete at The Valero Texas Open for the last available ticket to Augusta. Siem lost his 50th position because Henrik Stenson finished in second place at The Shell Houston Open and pushed him to 51st place.
The 32 year-old Siem from Mettman, Germany, who lives in Dusseldorf, made the long flight from Morocco to make a last-ditch attempt at TPC San Antonio. After a first round, 4 over par 76 on Thursday, I figured his chances were pretty slim to make the Masters field. The chance to make the Masters on position had ended last week, his only way to get in was to win at The Valero. He had a horrible first round, with double bogeys at 11 and 16, but the bright spot was a birdie at 18.
He appeared to get on-track Friday with a 67 which he followed with 69 on Saturday. He would have a chance on Sunday to play for the championship. His day started out with a bogey at the first hole, but he got it together, and made the turn at -4 under for the round. He was in range, immediately birdied 10 and 11, then the wheels came off. The twelfth hole.
By the time he got the ball in the hole, he would card a triple bogey seven on the par four, and take himself out of the Masters. You could see that the seven completely took the wind out of his sails. He was in a daze for the next two holes before picking up another birdie at 15, and finishing the day with a -3 under 69.
As it turns out, even with par at 12, Marcel Siem would still have finished four strokes behind a very focused, and hot Martin Laird. He did finish the tournament at -7 under par, and tied for 10th place. Based on his early season woes, I didn’t think he had the game to come here and win against a pretty good field, but was impressed by his effort. If someone could get to Augusta with an “E” for Effort, Marcel Siem would have my vote, and be teeing off Thursday at The Masters.
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