GOLF MASTERS NOTEBOOK : Heads-Up Play Results in a Sad Tale for Floyd

AUGUSTA, Ga. —  One coin cost Raymond Floyd $90,000.

He lost the Masters’ first-place prize money of $225,000 in sudden death to Nick Faldo. He could have won the tournament in regulation Sunday had his birdie putt at the 14th hole not come to rest one inch from the cup.

Floyd’s putt veered slightly after striking a coin used by playing partner John Huston to mark his ball.

“It’s nobody’s fault,” Floyd said. “I saw the coin.

“John asked me: ‘Is it in your way?’ And I said: ‘No, it’s fine.’ ”

If the ball doesn’t hit the coin?

“It goes right in the middle of the hole,” Floyd said. “Right smack in the middle.”

Second-place money was $135,000.

Floyd was asked if it had been any advantage having his nearest challenger, Nick Faldo, playing right in front of him.

“It’s never an advantage having slow players play in front of you,” Floyd said.

Said Jack Nicklaus, Faldo’s playing partner: “I couldn’t believe how nervous he was, especially on the front nine. He couldn’t pull the trigger, couldn’t even play sometimes. He’d just walk around, lining up his shots, trying to calm down.”

Stuck in 12th place, Lanny Wadkins put together Sunday’s best round, a 68, to tie Huston for third.

“Not bad for a guy who put five balls in the water the first two days,” Wadkins said.

Strangest scorecard of the tournament belonged to Steve Jones, who wrapped things up with a weird round of 79--31 on the front nine, 40 on the back.

Jones eagled both par-fives on the front, and joined the leader board at two-under for the tournament. Just as quickly he disappeared from the board, double-bogeying the 10th hole and bogeying Nos. 11 and 12.

“Pin placements,” Jones muttered later. “Back nine doesn’t like me.”

Sure didn’t. In four days on the front nine, Jones carded 35-32-34-31, including three eagles. On the back: 42-37-38-40.

Remember how Lee Trevino needed to place among the top 24 to receive another automatic invitation to the Masters?

Guess who shot a 72 for a total of 291--and a tie for 24th place?

He’s in.

Larry Nelson got so fed up with his putting during Saturday’s third round, he played the last three holes using his 2-iron for a putter.

Played them in par. He even sank a 15-foot birdie.

Nelson resorted to conventional weapons Sunday, but all his 74 got him was 300, and second-to-last place.

For the record, first-round leader Mike Donald finished in 47th place, winning $3,900.

Donald’s 64 was a Masters first-day record. His 76 Sunday was his second-best score.

Pleased with the way he played, sixth-place finisher Nicklaus’ parting shot was: “Well, got a senior tournament to prepare for.”