UPDATED (8:49 a.m.): In one of the most thrilling final days in Masters history, South Africa's Charl Schwartzel went on a late birdie barrage to finish with a 6-under 66 and win his first career major by two strokes. Meanwhile, Fairfax's Steve Marino posted a one-over 73 Sunday to finish in a tie with Bill Haas for 42nd place.
UPDATE (Sunday): Marino's four-day total at Augusta was 290, two strokes over par. Marino posted an even par 72 Saturday giving him a one-over 217 through the first three rounds, and placing him way back in the field tied for 40th place entering Sunday's final round. Last year he was much higher on the leader board finishing 14th overall at Augusta.
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Fairfax’s Steve Marino, who played as a W.T. Woodson High School student at the Army Navy Country Club course in Fairfax, is worth watching at this week’s Masters golf tournament for two unique reasons.
First, he’s really the only player in the prestigious field who is “local” meaning in this case not only is he from Fairfax but he’s also the only golfer in the traditional Augusta, Ga. Golf classic from the entire DC metro area.
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Second, many golf experts consider Marino the best golfer competing in this year’s Masters who has never won a PGA tournament, even though he’s come heartbreakingly close a couple of times.
“He’s definitely worth watching,” said ESPN-980 golf guru Phil Hawes Thursday morning as the Masters began. “He has the length in his drives, he has the game…no doubt about it. We’ll just have to see how he fares.”
Marino played well on the Augusta front nine Thursday afternoon and was at even par through 11. But then he went kerplunk on the famed No. 12 which has wrecked many a great golfer.
Steve used an 8-iron off the tee, wound up in the water and too0k a disastrous triple bogey on that hole. That resulted in a 74 for 18, putting him fairly far back in the field. “For some reason I just haven’t figured out this back nine,” he told the Post.
He shot decently in Friday's second round with a 71 and made the cut at the Masters for the second straight year, though barely. Last year he surprised some of the experts tying for 14th at Augusta National overall.
Stay tuned for updates today and tomorrow.
