In April 2013, I accepted and completed a freelance job at the 2013 PGA Masters for the German Press Agency (DPA). I filed a running story multiple times day, and a daily recap and side bar at the end of each round. The DPA edited and translated stories into need languages before disturbing to subscribers.

The story below appeared on the home page of South Africa’s Sport LIVE, while each of these stories were picked up in Spanish.

Gaun Tianland, un niño de 14 años en Augusta (April 9, 2013)

Busca Woods quedarse con la chaqueta verde en Augusta (April 10, 2013)

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Published April 14, 2013 on Sport Live

SA’s Clark surprises himself at Masters

South African Tim Clark said that Saturday’s third round at the 2013 Masters didn’t feel like one of his best rounds at Augusta National, but the mid-day and final leader boards begged to differ.

Entering the day at 2-over, a finish at 3-under for the tournament proved to be the best third round of anyone for a 5-under from the start.

“Yeah, this surprises me,” he said. “I thought I’d shot better rounds than that out there, but it was gettable for me today being firmer — the fairways being firmer, anyway — and going off early, the front nine, the greens are somewhat receptive, so I was able to get some birdies early and sort of try and hang on.”

Birdies were the name of his game, shooting five in the first nine holes. He added two more that were erased by two bogeys on the back nine.

Clark said he thought his putting improved on Saturday, which the birdies would indicate.

“I think I missed 10 putts inside 8 feet yesterday,” he said.

“I’ve driven it great, hit a lot of fairways and obviously to shoot a round like that you’ve just got to start to make putts.”

In Friday’s second round, he shot an even par 72 with three birdies and three bogeys, which didn’t help erase a rough first round.

On Thursday, four bogeys and two birdies left him at 2-over.

Both early days he would rather forget, but not Saturday after finishing tied for seventh with Tiger Woods.

“I just kind of went home and tried to forget about it and just come out with a good attitude again,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect today, but I got out and made a few nice putts early, and that’s how you get the confidence rolling.”

In his 12th Masters, he was playing alongside two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal, which added some perspective to being among the leaders. His best finish came in 2006 as runner up to Phil Mickleson.

“Obviously I’ve watched both tournaments that (Olazabal) won as a kid, so it’s always exciting to come out with a past champion,” Clark said. “Those are the guys that sort of make this tournament, and it’s always fun to be out there with them.”

With restored confidence, Clark planned to avoid the practice greens and enjoy the afternoon from home, checking in occasionally on TV to see how conditions were shaping up for Sunday.

“Obviously it all depends what the other guys do,” Clark said.

“But it is firming up out there. There’s a little bit of wind swirling around. I feel like I’ll be in pretty good shape.”

South Africa had five other players make the cut to earn a weekend of golf: Charl Schwartzel finished Saturday at 1-over, Ernie Els at 2-over, Branden Grace at 3-over, Richard Sterne at 4-over and Trevor Immelman at 5-over after three rounds.