THE MASTERS RELATED STORIES The Masters Home Page The Masters Preview Round 1: Vijay Singh sets early pace with 67 Round 1: Up and down round for Tiger Woods Round 1: South Africans push overseas challenge Round 1: Crenshaw rolls back the clock with 71 Round 1: David Howell pleased with opening 71 Round 2: Chad Campbell takes command with 67 Round 2: Duval a puzzle on way to missing cut Round 2: Chris DiMarco amongst those missing cut Round 2: Tiger Woods lurking after shooting 71 Round 2: 22nd straight Masters cut for Couples Round 3: Long Sunday ahead for Masters Round 3: Phil Mickelson leads as third round ends Round 4: Phil Mickelson wins Masters again Round 4: Tiger Woods fails in Sunday charge Round 4: Missed putts cost Fred Couples Round 4: Two driver strategy pays off for Phil Mickelson Round 4: Former champions fall short at Augusta Round 4: Tim Clark gains best ever Major finish Masters Clubhouse Scores The Masters Field Course Guide: Augusta National Hootie Johnson defends Masters changes Longer Augusta proving to be tricky Masters old guard making way Europeans looking to break Major drought Tiger Woods favourite for fifth Masters win Chris DiMarco looking to move up a step Phil Mickelson to carry two drivers Ben Crenshaw relishes Masters dinner Players get first view of longer Augusta In form Phil Mickelson in confident mood Weather set fair for Augusta Leading contenders for 2006 Masters Jaidee/Sabbatini receive Masters invites Stephen Ames confirms Masters entry Swedish pair receive Masters invitations Woods talks about Augusta and The Masters Mixed feelings about a longer Augusta 2006 PGA Tour Schedule GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Clarke pushing for Ryder Cup Duval still trying to get back on form Ochoa aims to push Sorenstam USGA adds another sponsor Sorenstam to retire at the end of 2008 Garcia back in the World Top 10 GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Ten great Golf Breaks to be won! Half Price Golf Vouchers InstructaCard - your portable pro! Trion:Z Magnetic /Ion Bracelets Golf Insurance

Chris DiMarco looking to move up a step

In a career of near misses and blown opportunities, Chris DiMarco arrives at the U.S. Masters this week confident his moment will come.

In a sport where careers can be defined by a single shot, golf's nearly man continues to wait for his to finally drop.

Playing in the last group at the Masters the past two years, DiMarco has watched from an uncomfortable front row seat as Phil Mickelson slipped into his first green jacket and Tiger Woods drained one of the most memorable shots ever seen at Augusta on the way to his fourth.

In a 10-year career that has produced just three PGA Tour wins, DiMarco's resume is sprinkled with narrow defeats.

These include at back-to-back majors (2004 PGA Championships and 2005 Masters) in playoffs, the WGC NEC invitational by a single stroke and the WGC Match Play Championship in a final pairing showdown.

"Last year I felt like I played well enough to win three tournaments," said DiMarco.

"I ran into David Toms at the Match Play, who was unbelievable. Tiger and I beat the field by seven here... and he made a great birdie on 16 coming down the stretch. At the NEC I posted a number."

But it is the sting of last year's Masters playoff loss to Woods that remains the most painful.

While Woods's eight-iron approach to within 15-feet on the first extra hole was key to his victory, it was the world number one's miracle birdie at the par-three 16th that has been etched into Masters folklore.

His ball nestled up against the fringe, Woods sent it on looping journey rolling across the top of the green before making a sharp turn and stopping for a full two seconds on the lip of the cup before dropping in to spark a thundering ovation that echoed through the dogwoods and Azaleas.

An early season win at the Abu Dhabi over a strong field hinted this could be DiMarco's long promised breakout campaign.

However, an injured rib from a skiing accident knocked him out of the Players Championship last month.

The strain also hampered him last week, when he missed the cut at BellSouth, and left a question mark about the feisty American's form coming into the year's first major.

Despite a less than ideal build-up, DiMarco's determination and confidence remain intact.

"Greg Norman should have won two or three times," said DiMarco. "All you can try to do is put yourself in position on Sunday going into the back nine.

"One of the keys here is patience.

"The confidence I get out of this tournament is unbelievable.

"There is no greater arena we have in our sport than this arena right here.

"If you can do it right here, playing against Tiger Woods, like I have two or three times and Phil trying to win his first major two years ago, then you can do it anywhere.

"You've got to believe in yourself."