Jim Furyk remembers the feeling well. It's one he doesn't want to experience again in a Masters Tournament final round.

On the strength of a third-round 68 last year, Furyk was within striking distance of 54-hole leader Phil Mickelson, trailing by four shots, entering the closing round.

It all came tumbling down with a final-round 75, when everything seemed to go wrong for the normally consistent Furyk. He found only nine fairways, hit only 10 greens in regulation and needed 31 putts.

It all added up to a 22nd-place finish that had Furyk steaming when he reached the Augusta National locker room. Asked by a magazine writer for an interview, an agitated Furyk explained to him how badly he had just played and declined the request.

The Masters was one of the few downers of a memorable year for Furyk, who won twice, had career bests in money earned (more than $7 million) and in his ranking on the money list (second).

It also moved Furyk to a career-best second in the World Golf Ranking, up from seventh at this time last year.

Not that it matters much to him.

"It's a nice side note," said the 36-year-old Furyk. "If I could be about 10 years younger, it would be pretty cool. It's really not in the whole scheme of things that's important to me.

"It means so much more to you all (the media) and to the fans and to the people who watch golf than I think it does to the players as far as what number is in front of your name."

Furyk doesn't need any validation that he is one of the world's best golfers. He has 12 PGA Tour victories, including the 2003 U.S. Open.

"I've always been comfortable with what I am and what I've accomplished," he said. "I've always looked at what I want to do and how I want to move on in the future and get better, and that number doesn't mean that much to me. It's not a driving force."

At the same time, Furyk said, "just once in your career, it would be nice to maybe have No. 1 next to it (his name), just to say you had it.

"I mean, Tom Lehman had it for only a week (in 1997), but it would be cool to say that 'at one time I was ranked No. 1 in the world.' It honestly wouldn't mean anything, but it would be something you could tell your grandchildren someday."

That day could come for Furyk, but it won't be anytime soon. World No. 1 Tiger Woods has a huge lead in the ranking. And as great as Woods is, Furyk doesn't want to be remembered as the player who was second to him in the ranking.

"I would rather be known for winning the U.S. Open and winning more major championships than being No. 2 to Tiger's No. 1," Furyk said.

Furyk is a veteran of 10 Masters, with his best finish being fourth (twice). He said he believes with the added yardage to the course in 2002 and 2006, the Masters Tournament committee has made the greens less difficult to putt.

"The hardest part used to be in the past, you couldn't prepare for the greens because you just couldn't find anything that fast," Furyk said. "They are still slick, but that's mellowed in years past because the golf course is so demanding.

"I think they have eased up a touch on the speed of the greens. You don't see the crazy four-putts anymore like you used to."

Reach David Westin at (706) 823-3224 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.