John Senden feels ready to surprise a few people at the 76th Masters this week.
The 40-year-old Queenslander is the form player of the six-man Australian contingent yet he’s so far under the radar at Augusta National you’d hardly know he’s in the field.
He’s listed as an all-but-hopeless 151-1 chance by bookies yet his stats stack up pretty well.
Senden ranks third on the US PGA Tour in ball striking, fourth in greens in regulation, fifth in birdie average and all-round ranking, sixth in total driving and eighth in scoring average.
Furthermore, his tie for sixth at the recent WGC event in Miami was his third top-10 this year and lifted him to a career-best No.28 world ranking.
The affable Senden is not the type to be concerned by tipsters’ predictions and he says he’s learnt a lot about preparing for the Masters from his previous two attempts when he missed the cut.
On debut in 2008 and again in 2010 he reckons he spent too much time practising on the Augusta National course before the first round, letting the occasion drain him.
This time he opted to play another tournament last week rather than arrive in Augusta early and he was in the mix at the Houston Open before fading late to finish tied 18th.
“I’m in pretty good form,” said Senden.
“The best practice is actually being involved in a tournament, being in the heat of contention.
“Playing in Houston meant I wasn’t thinking of Augusta too early and mentally wearing myself out.”
Senden knows part of the reason some discount his chances is the perception his putting and short game can’t cut the mustard on the tricky, super-slick greens.
But his own belief is high, thanks to plenty of extra work around the putting surface.
“This course exposes every part of your game, especially on and around the greens, and you could say it’s not my strongest part of my game but I have worked very hard and feel much more confident,” he said.
“Now I am enjoying being on the green as opposed to having negative thoughts in the past.”
The extra work on the short game and his firm belief that he belongs on the world stage have Senden certain his best is yet to come.
“I know in my heart I can win golf tournaments and nowadays if I start bogey bogey I can convince myself there is a long way to go, keep behaving like a professional and get it done,” he said.
“This has helped turn 40th places into top 15s and turned weeks where I’m playing well into contending for the victory.
“If I behave like that for the rest of my career I can win golf tournaments.”
Senden said resilience as well as local knowledge was crucial at the Masters.
“It’s really getting to know this place that’s important. Getting a feel for the surfaces and knowing where you can miss is key.
“And you have to have the fortitude to take the punches because you know some great shots are going to end up in tough places here, it’s the way the course plays.
“You need to handle it and then take your opportunities when you can.”
