DiMarco flattered by fame

Adam Candee

Thursday, April 28, 2005 | 9:01 a.m.

No nightmares, no cold sweats, no lip-hanging chips keeping him awake.

What trails Chris DiMarco in the wake of his near miss at the Masters are people.

"Life has changed a little bit," Dimarco said Wednesday. "I used to be able to go to Target, I used to be able to go to the grocery store, I used to be able to go to the bowling alley. I had my anonymity and it's not quite there anymore, but it goes with it. I'm quite honored, to tell you the truth, to have that many people actually care that much about me not winning."

Speaking via teleconference from the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, DiMarco fielded questions for the first time since losing to Tiger Woods on the first playoff hole at Augusta National almost three weeks ago. He continues to be overwhelmed by the response from fans that plucked him from that anonymity and made him their favorite on a Sunday afternoon.

"I don't think I can remember the last time where I've been congratulated so many times for losing," DiMarco said.

A loss, yes, but also an introduction to the country: DiMarco comfortably led the most recognized golf tournament in the world for two days before watching Woods surge ahead to erase a four-shot lead in just minutes. That set the stage for one of the more memorable back-nine duels in major championship history.

DiMarco made up two shots on the final two holes just to get into the playoff with Woods, sinking a 5-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to cement his comeback.

Woods made birdie on the first playoff hole at No. 18 to claim his fourth green jacket, denying DiMarco his first major title and handing him his second playoff loss in the past two majors. DiMarco also fell to Viajy Singh in a three-way playoff at last year's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

DiMarco continually talked of how proud he was of his Masters performance, of how he wouldn't change a single shot he hit. The only detail he would change is where the playoff occurred.

"The only thing I was a little disappointed we didn't go to 10, to tell you the truth," DiMarco said. "I felt like every playoff I've ever watched at Augusta, they have always gone to the 10th hole. I don't know why they tried to change it this year."

DiMarco said that No. 10 played to his advantage because of the tight draw required from the tee that limits the big hitters' edge in length. He never did get an explanation for why the playoff hole changed.

"They said they just changed it this year," DiMarco said. "You don't ask too many questions at Augusta. You just say OK and move on."

DiMarco begins the process of moving on this week in New Orleans, and there won't be much time to dwell. He is slated to play eight of the next nine events, something DiMarco feels prepared to do after taking a couple of weeks to ponder the Masters.

"The good thing is I've had two weeks to kind of reflect and get it behind me," DiMarco said. "Obviously, that's something you never want to put behind you. It's nice to let it go on as long as you can."