John Senden earned a return to the Masters, banked more than US$1 million ($1.16 million) and buried some troublesome demons with a drought-breaking victory in the US PGA Tour's Valspar Championship golf tournament yesterday.
The 42-year-old from Brisbane claimed just his second title in more than 12 seasons on the tour - almost eight years after the first - when he birdied two of the last three holes of the difficult Copperhead Course in Florida yesterday.
The run included a "magic" chip-in on the 16th for birdie and was enough for a one-stroke win from American Kevin Na as he posted a closing one-under to finish at seven-under 271. Most importantly it boosted his belief as he prepares to return to major championship golf, having earned starts in next month's Masters and also the US PGA Championship.
"Winning again is something that makes you believe more that you can get it done again rather than, you know, just once," said Senden, who has played 205 US tour events, with four runner-up finishes - including two on the same Copperhead course - since his 2006 John Deere Classic win.
"It stops you thinking, was [the 2006 win] something out of the blue or a flash in the pan?
