Hamilton: 2004 Open champion
Todd Hamilton admitted that knowing this could be his last Masters provided him with plenty of motivation to perform at Augusta.
After a lengthy slump in form, the 2004 Open champion's five-year exemption expires this year. Last season was his fourth straight year outside the PGA Tour's top 125.
But his second round 70 after an opening 68 has fired him into contention at this year's Masters.
"I don't think I had any expectations," said the 43-year-old Texan.
"I was just happy to have a chance knowing this could be my last one, and I wanted to play like it wasn't going to be my last one. I wanted to have a chance to come back."
Now Hamilton hopes that the experience he gained in Troon five years ago - plus his last four years at Augusta - can come to his aid in Georgia this weekend.
"I think it can especially if you are just talking about this tournament, that definitely helps," he said. "It's one thing to get here and play Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday; it's another thing to play in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, so on and so on.
"And you could even go back to the mid 70s for a lot of the guys. So they know this course like the back of their hand."
Hamilton also feels not hitting a golf ball last week after seven missed cuts from nine starts this season has helped his game.
"I think the time off that I had last week at home was really beneficial to me," he added.
"I had been beating my head up against the wall, seems like all year. Felt like I was playing pretty well and just getting nothing out of it.
"I took four days off, not because I wanted to, but because it was really windy at home. And didn't touch a club for four days, so maybe that was a good thing."
