Mark Hensby - Media Guide

since the 2005 John Deere Classic (T4). His $540,000 check moved him from 151st on the money list to 99th with $969,731 in his final start of the season.

"My feet have been really bad, and I really have been struggling to walk 18 holes." Consulted with Jose Maria Olazabal, whose career was nearly cut short in the 1990s due to foot problems, later diagnosed as back problem...Best showings were T22 at both the Masters and British Open. 2005: Recorded top-10s in two majors (Masters and U.S. Open) and earned a berth on International Presidents Cup squad...In Masters debut and second career major championship start, posted first majors top-10 with a T5. Along with Rod Pampling, led group of eight Australians that participated...In his U.S. Open debut two months later, finished T3, five strokes behind champion Michael Campbell...In defense of 2004 John Deere Classic title, finished T4, aided by a season-low 64 on Sunday. Finished two strokes behind champion Sean O'Hair...Three weeks later, captured his first win on the European Tour by defeating Henrik Stenson on the second playoff hole of the Scandinavian Masters after finishing with a final-round 65 to make it into the playoff. 2004: Won first TOUR title at the John Deere Classic and made first trip to THE TOUR Championship...Runner-up finish at BellSouth Classic, one stroke behind Zach Johnson. Sunday's 67 was low round of the day and one of only four rounds in the 60s that day...Best stretch of the season came in July, starting with a T3 at the Cialis Western Open. Shared third-round lead with Stephen Ames at 9-under 204 before finishing three back of Ames after final-round 73...One week later, earned first TOUR victory with a par 3 on the second playoff hole to beat John E. Morgan at the John Deere Classic. Posted rounds of 68-65-69-66--268, overcoming four-shot lead of Jose Coceres in the final round. Earned a career-best $684,000. Became the 16th first-time winner in John Deere Classic history. Recorded an ace in the first round, becoming the first player since Jim Furyk (2002 Memorial Tournament) to post an ace and win in the same week...In first TOUR Championship appearance, finished T4 to jump to No. 40 in the Official World Golf Ranking. 2003: Made the cut in 17 of 23 events on the 2003 Nationwide Tour. Collected $276,519 to finish No. 7 on the final money list...Earned his third career victory at the Henrico County Open. Posted a final-round 9-under 63 to finish regulation tied with Zach Johnson at 20-under-par. Birdied the first playoff hole for the victory. 2001: In first season on TOUR, finished 186th on money list and recorded only top-10, a T9 at the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open, during his first event as a member. 2000: Second Nationwide Tour victory came during the 2000 at the Carolina Classic. Defeated Manny Zerman on seventh extra playoff hole. 1998: Set tournament mark with 20-under 260 at Fort Smith Classic, his first Nationwide Tour victory...Winner of numerous other tournaments, including the 1996 Illinois Open by eight strokes and the 1994 Illinois State Amateur.