A resolute Jeev Milkha Singh fought back from a disastrous start for his best Major finish at a creditable tied 25th in the US Masters in Augusta but his failure to sign off among the top-16 has denied him a return ticket to the prestigious event.
The Indian shot a final-round three-over 75 on a chilly windswept day to end his campaign with a total of four-over 292, 12 strokes off the pace of winner Trevor Immelman (75), who became the second South African after Gary Player to claim the Masters.
Jeev was six-over after the first 10 holes at the Augusta National Golf Club before showing steely resolve to hit four birdies over a five-hole stretch to salvage his round on a day when only four players broke par.
The Asian Tour number one in 2006, completed the year's thereby bettered his previous best finish at a Major, tied 36th in the US Open last year.
However, the Chandigarh pro was disappointed with his effort and said he could have finished higher up the leaderboard but messed up his chances by trying too hard.
"I am really disappointed. I came back pretty strongly at the back nine and left a few out there. I tried but I made too many mistakes on the front nine."
"My management wasn't up to the mark. I was pushing myself too much and getting result orientated and I paid the price," said Jeev, who finished tied 37th in his Masters debut last year.
"I was trying shots which I shouldn't have. On the first and ninth holes. I should have just made sure I got the ball up on the green and I didn't," he added.
Jeev said he would learn from the experience to do better if he gets a chance next year.
"It was poor management. I'm a little disappointed with the way I finished as I wanted the top-16 [to earn a return trip to next year's Masters]. Hopefully I can learn from this and come back next year," he added.
With winds howling on a chilly day, Jeev stumbled to double bogeys on the first and ninth holes due to miscalculated shots and dropped a couple of more strokes on the third and fifth holes against a lone birdie on the second.
When the Indian bogeyed the 10th following another errant approach from the middle of the fairway, he was staring at a disastrous card for the round. However, a birdie on the par-five 13th hole sparked a fightback.
Jeev then enjoyed a Masters moment on the 14th hole when he spun his wedge shot to within inches for a tap-in birdie while playing partner Nick Watney sensationally holed out for an eagle.
Jeev converted a 15-foot birdie on the 16th hole and trickled in his fifth birdie of the round from 12 feet on the 17th, only to drop a bogey on the last after a blocked drive clipped a tree, missing a six foot par save.
"After 10, I said I had nothing to lose. That was the attitude and I came back strongly. The last hole left a sour taste in the mouth. But the 14th was fantastic, it was a great feeling. That hole has always got me and I got it today," said Jeev.
The Indian, who has two runner-up finishes on the Asian Tour this season, will take next week off before heading to Shanghai for the BMW Asian Open.
He will also play an event in Japan before returning to Europe with the aim of working his way back into the world's top-50.
"You learn a lot every time you play here. I'm mentally tired. Every hole takes a lot from out of you. I'm taking the week off, refresh myself and start all over again," said Jeev, who is presently ranked 83rd in the world.
"I will go back to Asia before returning to Europe. I want to try to move back into the top-50 in the world and try to get back here for the US Open [in June]," he added.
