Tom Watson told us, "There's a tragedy awaiting you just about on every hole." Veteran Scott Verplank can attest.

Scott Verplank chips at No. 18 on Sunday. He shot 68 -- his best Masters round ever -- but it was not good enough for the top 16. (John Curry/Staff)

Cruising to his best round in 14 Masters Tournament starts, Verplank stumbled with a double bogey-bogey finish that cost him an automatic invitation back in 2011.

At age 45, you can't take those things for granted.

"I got it to 4-under and then I kind of screwed it up there at the end," Verplank said of missing the goal he set out for the day after starting in 31st position.

Despite finishing with a career-best 68, there wasn't much to be excited about after his closing stumble.

Verplank was motoring along at 7-under par for the day after a tap-in eagle at 13 and a birdie at 14, moving him up to 11th on the leaderboard at the time. He had birdie chances again on 15 and 16 that missed.

"For 16 holes it was awesome," he said. "I really could have even been better off than I was. But it was a lot more fun than shooting 73, which I had shot every day."

The 17th hole has been rough on Verplank this weekend, costing him three strokes to par.

"I struggled with the 17th hole since they moved it back, and I always feel I've got to hit it extra hard off the tee," he said. "And it was a terrible tee shot."

That was compounded with a terrible three-putt finish, missing his par from 10 feet and then lipping out a 4-footer he called a "double Augusta breaker."

"I made a double bogey every day, which you really can't do, and I probably three-putted six or eight times," he said. "Other than that, I really don't think I hit it that bad. I three-putted too much."

Still on the cusp of staying in the top 16, he needed one more par but bogeyed No. 18, missing another 4-footer.

Now Verplank will have to grind to make it back next year at age 46. With marital ties to Aiken, it's always a key destination for him.

"I was thinking if I played really, really good today -- which I did for most of the way -- I'd have a chance to get in the top 16 and guarantee I'll be back," he said. "I doubt that will happen with how I finished, but if I play good enough (the rest of the year) I'll get back."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.