Thomas Bjorn on Wednesday hit back at critics who branded him a choker after a dismal final round ruined a promising US Masters.
The Dane, playing in his first major since throwing away the 2003 British Open in a final-round tragedy worthy of Hamlet, was third after three rounds at Augusta and just four shots off the pace.
But a nine-over-par 81 in the final round saw him slump to finish tied for 25th.
”There were articles written saying I don’t have what it takes and I don’t perform on the big stage when it matters,” Bjorn said ahead of the Johnnie Walker Classic tournament in Beijing.
”But I have to say I know I can perform on the big stage. To go to the Augusta Masters and perform the way I did, I’ve got to take a lot out of it.”
Bjorn blamed his poor final round at Augusta on a couple of ”wrong shots” that halted his momentum.
”I was very disappointed with the last round, and it wasn’t because I didn’t feel confident,” he said. ”I just hit a couple of wrong shots, and if you don’t get momentum on that golf course, things can get very uncomfortable.”
The world number 34 was two shots clear with three holes to go in the 2003 British Open before blowing the tournament with a double bogey.
He also led last year’s Johnnie Walker Classic in the final round before twice finding water to hand victory to Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain.
The two are among a glittering line-up competing for the $2,3-million Johnnie Walker Classic, the richest tournament staged to date in mainland China, which is co-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian tours. — Sapa-AFP