Brandt Snedeker was the people's choice in the 72nd Masters Tournament. The wavy hair flipped up in back of his visor, the Southern accent and his boyish enthusiasm endeared him to Augusta National galleries.

Brandt Snedeker, who started the final round two shots off the lead was undone by Amen Corner as he posted a closing 77. (Kendrick Brinson/File)

The Tennessean was one shot off the lead after each of the first two rounds, and two shots back going into the final round.

Though Snedeker had what he termed a "rough day out there" with a 77 in the final round, it wasn't because of nerves.

"He just didn't have it that day," said Todd Anderson, who has been Snedeker's golf instructor for more than three years.

"He's not the kind of guy who is afraid of that situation, which is good. I think, give him another opportunity at it, he'd do better. I think the first time you're in contention in a major, very few normally go through and win it."

Snedeker, 28, agreed.

"I really feel like when I get in that situation again, I'm going to be better for it," he said.

Last year was Snedeker's first Masters as a professional. He tied for 41st as an amateur in his other appearance, in 2004.

The 2008 Masters was also just his fifth major, and the first time he'd been in contention in one.

"He knows he can compete at that level," Anderson said. "If you can compete at that level -- in the Masters -- I think you can compete at that level in any tournament."

Snedeker describes his final round last year as "terrible." His short game, spot-on the first three days, deserted him, and he missed the five- and six-foot putts he'd been making. He ended up with nine bogeys, two birdies and an eagle in the round. He'd had only five bogeys in the first 54 holes.

No telling what he would have shot that last day if the gallery hadn't been behind him.

"The crowd really pulled me through that last round," Snedeker said.

"I can't explain how awesome it is to have those kind of people behind you and how much it makes you want to go through that situation more and more."

In the weeks after his rough final round, Snedeker came to realize the impact he had made on people with his play and his tearful news conference afterward.

"I couldn't believe people actually felt sorry for me," Snedeker said, "People would tell me that while I was at dinner. I was sitting there smiling, saying, 'I just finished third in the Masters; nobody died; we're fine; life goes on. It's not a big deal.' I was like, 'There's a whole lot more important stuff in the world to worry about than me crying because I played one bad round of golf.' "

Snedeker calls Augusta National one of his favorite courses. It is also one of the most challenging courses in the world. That's a good combination for Snedeker, his golf instructor said.

"He does better at more difficult golf courses because of his short game and putting," Anderson said. "He's better in that situation than going out and shooting 30-under. He's not the longest guy out there, but he's long enough at Augusta to where he's such a good wedge player that he can play the par-5s well. If you play the par-5s well at Augusta, you're going to have a chance."

"I do like tougher courses," said Snedeker, who tied for ninth at June's U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. "I don't know why that is. I like playing where par is a good score, where everybody is going to struggle and feel the ups and downs. The tougher it is, the more mentally you have to be strong. I think that is one of my strongest attributes -- my mental toughness.

"Unfortunately, it didn't bear itself out on Sunday, but I never get too down on myself and try to see the positive in everything."

That hasn't been easy since the U.S. Open. Snedeker's best finish in nine starts to finish the PGA Tour season was a tie for 24th. He missed the cut in five of his first eight starts this season.

"I guess it's one of those growing pains everybody goes through. I wasn't looking forward to going through it my second and third year on tour. Everybody does. You've got to fight your way through it and figure it out."

Returning to Augusta National and drawing on the memories from last year might be the spark Snedeker needs.

"Hopefully," he said. "That's the plan."