Profile / Editor / 06 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

After suffering the agony of finishing second in a major three times in the last three years, there are few players more determined to make their big breakthrough than Chris DiMarco.

DiMarco has been within touching distance of the US Masters, British Open and US PGA Championship titles only to see them snatched from his grasp - Vijay Singh winning the first and Tiger Woods the last two.

The manner of his defeat at the 2005 Masters was particularly hard to take as the American was favourite to win his first major, only for world number one Woods to hole an outrageous chip shot at the 16th before winning the ensuing play-off at the first extra hole.

But DiMarco demonstrated his trademark fighting qualities and competitive edge to finish second to Woods at last year's British Open, less than three weeks after the death of his mother, Norma, and he looks sure to be a serious contender at the 2007 majors.

The 38-year-old, who started his new season defending the title he won so impressively in Abu Dhabi in 2006, has enjoyed a quiet start to the year so far.

But DiMarco has made three out of three PGA cuts so far in 2007 and will be hoping for a good showing at this week's PODS Championship, where he can be backed at 40 to win.

DiMarco turned professional in 1990 but he had to wait until the turn of the millennium before making a name for himself on the PGA Tour.

Despite being one of the shortest hitters on tour, he made his breakthrough in 2001 with victory at the SEI Pennsylvania Classic and he has three career PGA Tour wins as well as 12 second places.

DiMarco has not won in America for more than four years and may have slipped down the world rankings after being in the world's top ten in 2005.

But his performances in Abu Dhabi, the British Open and the 2006 Ryder Cup provide more than enough evidence that his tough, competitive nature remains stronger than ever.

What DiMarco lacks in length, he more than makes up for with his terrier-like character and tenacious battling qualities.

He possesses one of the best short games on the PGA Tour and is currently third in scrambling this year and eighth in the 2007 putting statistics, averaging just 28 putts per round.

DiMarco's confidence will have been boosted by his third-place finish at the Target World Challenge at the end of last year and look out for him in particular at the US Masters, where he has an excellent record.

As well as coming second to Woods, DiMarco led the field at the halfway stage in 2001 and has three top-ten finishes in six appearances at Augusta.