Germany’s Marcel Siem was in the 2013 Masters for nearly eight hours before the disappointment of learning the new Hassan 11 Trophy champion ended last week as the 51st ranked best player in the world.
On the morning of his third Race to Dubai success he received an invitation to compete in the Valero Texas Open with the offer of a first class air fare and accommodation for he and his England born caddy, Guy Tilson in the world’s largest Marriott hotel on course at TPC San Antonio.
But after an opening round 76 the German must have wondered if it was all worth it.
Well it was as the triple European Tour winner then proceeded to shoot rounds of 67 and 69 to be T12th heading to the final round of th $6.2m event.
Germany’s Marcel Siem reveals how his parents were looking forward to travelling to the Masters with him. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
Of course, Siem needs to capture the $6.2m event but while that now seems a tall task the goal now for Siem is a top-10 finish that would qualify him for the up-coming Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Siem had been five over after 16 holes but since then he’s 9-under par.
His opening 16 holes included four bogeys and two doubles. He’s got 12 birdies in the 38 holes since, with three bogeys and no doubles.
“I am full of confidence at the moment after winning last week in Morocco,” he said.
“But it’s just a shame after how I started on Thursday but I can still myself shooting six or seven under tomorrow if I get it in the right position.
“However I have been saying to Guy that this is my seventh round in strong winds and on another tough golf course, so I am pretty tired but this is a big golf tournament for me so I still have the energy for a big day tomorrow.
“But I was always going to honour the invitation even though I am just one spot outside the top-50 in the world so I want to take every opportunity presented to me.”
However Siem is also still looking forward to three big events starting in Europe later next month – the 25th BMW International Open, BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and his defence of the French Open.
Hopefully, if he does end 2013 inside the top-50 on the World Rankings he can then arrive at Augusta National this time next year with his parents by his side.
“It would be nice if I can win two in a row and get into the Masters but if not I will wait my turn for maybe next year,” he said.
“It’s been a childhood dream to play the Masters and along with qualifying for the Ryder Cup.
“They are two of the biggest goals you can achieve as a golf professional.
“That’s my dad was even more upset I missed out on the Masters as I was going to take him and my mother. So it will be a dream come true if it happens one day.”
