Is Chris DiMarco America’s New Underdog?

He may not have the most attractive swing or win the ladies over with a long drive, but he gets the job done – almost. Chris DiMarco is like the average person out for a day of golf, but he’s regularly in contention at the majors.

With television ratings of the 2005 Masters tournament as high as they’ve been since 2001, Chris DiMarco has become a household name. Just ask my mother! If you don’t like Chris DiMarco, you should be pulling for him now. It is his turn to finally win a major tournament. After all, it’s our nature to side with the underdog, and Chris DiMarco is America’s New Underdog. He’s this year’s Phil Mickelson. Mickelson was a crowd favorite in the past years not only because of his playing ability but also because he had not won a major. People also like Phil because he is left-handed and they can shout “Lefty! Lefty!”. How long until we hear “Claw! Claw!”?

The claw putting grip turned Chris DiMarco’s game around in the past couple of years. This grip consists of the left hand in the normal top position but the right hand is turned upside down, with the palm facing toward the body.

Chris DiMarco has had three close calls in recent majors. He blew up with a 76 during the final round, ending tied for sixth, at the 2004 Masters after holding a share of lead after 54 holes. Phil Mickelson, playing along side of DiMarco that Sunday, finally won his first major. Then, at the 2004 PGA Championship, Chris DiMarco was in a three-way playoff with Justin Leonard and Vijay Singh. In short, DiMarco left the putt to win short, leaving the victory in Vijay Singh’s hands. Finally, just two weeks ago, he battled with Tiger Woods through the final round and into a playoff at the Masters, his second straight major playoff loss.

While he held the lead into the third round, Tiger came back and took advantage of DiMarco’s back-nine third-round 41. DiMarco just could not buy a putt on the front side of the final round, and there weren’t any for sale on eBay. Tiger then had a three-stroke lead going into the final nine. But Chris came back with his iron play. Chris was consistently outdriven by 30 yards or more after Tiger placed his tee shot. At the 18th green during the final round, DiMarco nearly chipped in, falling to his knees as the ball grazed the hole. His amazing chip was overshadowed by spotlight thief Tiger Woods and his amazing chip on 16.

DiMarco then made a clutch six-foot putt to force a playoff. DiMarco clenched his fist and his teeth, vowing to pull back ahead of Tiger in the playoff. It didn’t happen, and DiMarco’s chances lasted only three more shots – a perfect 3-wood, a perfect 8-iron, and a perfect putt. All by Tiger Woods.

“That was really good shot,” DiMarco said. “Tiger made birdie, too. He didn’t have to do that,” in reference to Tiger’s chip. It is unfortunate Chris was against the best player of this generation when it came down to the end. “Tiger has got to be exhausted,” DiMarco said as darkness fell Sunday night, “because he was in a battle today.”

After leaving the 18th green at Augusta, Chris DiMarco and his family were taken by cart to the press center. The crowd parted but they realized that this wasn’t the cart carrying a CBS camera man like usual. Once the gallery saw the DiMarco family on the cart, they started shouting and cheering. It is at that moment that Chris can probably say he felt like the Pope riding in the Pope-mobile. He knew that everyone was rooting for him even if he did not win.

“Chris is a fighter. What else can you say? The guy got out there and grinded his way around. He’s a wonderful competitor. He drives the ball extremely straight and he shot 68 today. That’s some pretty good playing. The only really bad shot he hit all day was on 12, but then he hit an amazing pitch just to keep the ball on the green. He’s going to be in your face all day, and I knew that. He was very gritty at the PGA last year at Whistling Straits and the times I’ve played with him on the Ryder Cup and President’s Cup teams,” Woods said after his playoff win.

DiMarco has a strong mental game. The fact that Tiger Woods drove his tee shot on 18 in the final round 80 yards past his ball had no effect on his game. “My goodness, he’s hitting it far,” DiMarco said. Asked how to combat that kind of power, DiMarco answered, “You hit your iron shots inside of him, that’s what you do.”

Chris DiMarco has a special relationship with the Masters tournament. In 2001, DiMarco’s first Maters appearence, he held the lead through two rounds and finished 10th. In 2002, he tied 12th but then withdrew in 2003 after shooting a high 82 in the opening round. Without Chris DiMarco at this year’s Masters it would not have been as exciting. The closest competitors were seven shots behind DiMarco and Woods.

A member of the press asked if he saw himself in a green jacket one day. He answered quickly, “I see myself in green,” he said, smiling, “definitely.” Another article posed the opinion that DiMarco is truely the third best player in the world behind Woods and Mickelson. After his performance at the Masters this year that seems to be a good point.

Dimarco is clearly the best player in the world, who has not yet won a major. Move over big four, Chris DiMarco is coming.

Photo Credits: © AP Photo/Amy Sancetta & © AP Photo/Elise Amendola