Weep for Steven Bowditch on this Thanksgiving Saturday. In contention at the MasterCard Masters, the lad from NZ roared into contention with 68-69. For those who did not follow in 2006, it was the stuff of nightmares.

This is the guy who blows up inconceivably, who graduated to the PGA Tour in 2006 on the strength of a $180000 payday at the Jacobs Creek Open (Nationwide Tour) in Australia. Didn’t need to do much the rest of the year to finish top 20. Since he hit the PGA Tour, thought, we’ve seen one disaster after another.

The latest came yesterday at the MasterCard Masters in Australia. Bowditch began round three with par-bogey-double, then righted the ship with birdies on holes 4 and 6. On number seven, a nine, a quad, on a par five he had played one-under over two days. 41 out, 34 in.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however. His back nine score is a small triumph. Based on 2006 standards, he would have followed the 41 with a +4, instead of a -2, and tumbled six more strokes back. Instead, a mid to high 60s round could bring him back to the top 15. Let’s hope and pray for this craggy young man’s psyche.

RONMON NOTE: Bowditch began round four with another quadruple bogey…an 8 on the par-four first hole. Whatever curse was placed on him is still in effect, in full force!!

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