With a whirlwind year behind him, Adam Hadwin feels better positioned to take a second shot at the Masters.

The 30-year-old from Abbotsford, B.C., made his first appearance at Augsta National last year fresh off his first PGA Tour victory in early March B次元官网网址� and just before a flurry of events in his personal life that included his wedding.

He ended up finishing tied for 36th, but he believes a more low-key schedule in advance of this weekB次元官网网址檚 tournament will help him to put in a bigger performance.

B次元官网网址淭he year has flown by,B次元官网网址� he said over the phone prior to travelling to Augusta, Ga. B次元官网网址淭hings have settled down since last March. WeB次元官网网址檙e taking it a bit easier with not as many things going on off the golf course. Things are easier to control and handle but lifeB次元官网网址檚 good.B次元官网网址�

Thanks to three top-10 finishes, Hadwin has already earned more than US$1.1 million this season. His best result was a tie for third at the CareerBuilder Challenge in January. Hadwin also finished in the Top 30 of the FedEx Cup standings last season.

Although Hadwin didnB次元官网网址檛 fly to Georgia for a practice round before this week, he said he is playing better overall than at the same point last year and this should help at Augusta National, where golfers need to have all facets of their game in top form.

B次元官网网址淵ou need to hit some good shots, you need to get up and down and you probably need to make some tough five- or 10-foot putts to keep rounds going,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely a plus going in (to the Masters) playing a little better.B次元官网网址�

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A year ago, he recognized he was struggling with his iron game, but he has tightened that up this year.

B次元官网网址淐onsistent ball-striking has taken the pressure off some other areas in my game,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 allowed me to stay patient and if I donB次元官网网址檛 make a few putts here and there, IB次元官网网址檒l just keep hitting it well and giving myself chances.B次元官网网址�

Mike Weir, who is celebrating the 15th anniversary of his 2003 Masters victory this year, makes up the other half of this weekB次元官网网址檚 Canadian contingent.

Hadwin said he and Weir will play an 18-hole practice round together and will be paired in the Par-3 Contest. The 30-year-old plans to lean on his veteran compatriot for expertise around the Augusta NationalB次元官网网址檚 greens, which are notorious for being some of the most difficult on Tour.

Weir, from BrightB次元官网网址檚 Grove, Ont., was an assistant captain at last SeptemberB次元官网网址檚 Presidents Cup, where Hadwin was a member of the International team. Weir told The Canadian Press in January that he was impressed with HadwinB次元官网网址檚 attention to detail, work ethic and B次元官网网址渋nner fire.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淗e wants to be great,B次元官网网址� said Weir at the time.

Ultimately, Hadwin is looking forward to continuing his run of good play and to follow in WeirB次元官网网址檚 footsteps by becoming the second Canadian to capture an elusive green jacket.

B次元官网网址�(My) game is in a really good spot right now,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 feel like IB次元官网网址檓 a better player this year than last year, and certainly there are no personal distractions this year heading in. IB次元官网网址檒l be more rested and ready to play.B次元官网网址�

Adam Stanley, The Canadian Press

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