All numbers that add up for an impressive Masters Tournament for Vaughn Taylor. But the one number he'd like to have back is a final-round 75, which left him six shots behind champion Zach Johnson.

Vaughn Taylor misses a five-foot eagle putt on the second hole. The Augustan, who tied for 10th Sunday, needed 36 putts in the final round of the Masters Tournament. (Michael Holahan/Staff)

"I'm pretty disappointed now," Taylor said. "I finished poorly again. It was just a tough day."

After missing the cut a year ago, Taylor tied for 10th place after opening with rounds of 71-72-77. He recorded his best finish in a major, and it marked the highest finish by a player with Augusta ties in the Masters since a third by Larry Mize in 1994. The 31-year-old Taylor, a standout at Hephzibah High School and Augusta State who now lives in Columbia County, recorded his second top-10 finish in the past month.

Taylor collected $181,250 and has earned almost $800,000 this season. He's well on his way to cracking the $1 million mark on the PGA Tour for the fourth consecutive year.

The most important thing: Taylor locked up an invitation to the 2008 Masters by finishing in the top 16.

"All in all, it was a good week," he said. "Last year it was tough. I definitely improved from last year. Maybe next year will be my year."

Taylor entered the day paired with Johnson, two shots off Stuart Appleby's 54-hole lead. Taylor bogeyed the opening hole, but hit a 3-wood approach to five feet on the par-5 second hole, leaving himself a short attempt for eagle that would have given him the outright lead at the time. He missed wide - a sign of things to come - and settled for birdie.

"It was a really good shot. I just wish I could've converted on the putt," he said. "Maybe it would've gotten the day going a little different."

Taylor had his worst day on the greens, using 36 putts. After a good start with the flat stick the first two days, he ended with 123 putts to finish in a tie for 55th of the 60 golfers who made the cut.

"You always want to get off to a good start and hole a few putts," he said. "I didn't do it. I missed some pretty easy putts early. I just never really could find the rhythm and the speed. It was just a struggle all day.

"You got to keep your comfort level the same all the time. I just couldn't do it today."

Taylor still was in contention, three shots back entering the par-5 13th hole. After driving into the fairway, he was 205 yards from the pin. With a 4-iron, he went for the green but fell short into the tributary of Rae's Creek. He saved par, but his chance to win the Masters was over.

"I just really needed to hit one on the green there and have a chance for eagle," he said. "I just didn't get it done."

Taylor now is headed to the Verizon Heritage, which begins Thursday on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Last year, he tied for third in the event.

Taylor can take solace in the words of somebody who just had a major breakthrough.

"He's going to be in this position sooner or later," Johnson said. "It's just a matter of time."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.