Tai misses Masters cut, but gains a Major education

At the par-three 16th hole named Redbud, the pines looming like lanky spectators, his iron shot floated in the air and settled gently near the pin. Just 11 feet away. Surely, now, a birdie.

- Rohit Brijnath

AUGUSTA - At the par-three 16th hole named Redbud, the pines looming like lanky spectators, his iron shot floated in the air and settled gently near the pin. Just 11 feet away. Surely, now, a birdie. Surely, after hours of his putter misbehaving, something would fall. Surely, a round of tiny errors would be redeemed late in the day. The Masters promises nothing. The putt missed.

Singapore's Hiroshi Tai bent over in disbelief and frustration. "I had a couple of good looks at birdie," he said later. "I just didn't make them." Then he straightened up and kept grinding. He was not having the best day, but he was discovering who he is during this day.

Tai's second-round five-over 77, following a one-over 73 in the first round, meant that he missed the cut at his first Masters. Of the five amateurs in the field, none of whom made the cut, he had the second-best score, but did not leave empty-handed. His intangible, priceless prize is a Major education.

Tai may not have been thrilled with his score of 77, but hey, even Tiger Woods posted the same number in his Masters debut back in 1995. Still a student, both in life and on the course, the young Singaporean faced one of golf's toughest tests this April, surrounded by the sport's elite. That's why, despite three bogeys and a double bogey, his spirits remained high.

"I had a lot of fun," he said. "I learnt a lot."