Imada wins duel of Bulldogs

Augusta — Ryuji Imada swears he didn’t have any side bets with former Georgia teammate Bubba Watson on who would be low Bulldog. But when informed that his fellow UGA alum, who started the day tied with him at 1-over, had shot 73 after Imada carded a final-round 69, he proclaimed with laughter, “Good!”

The reality is the two are very good friends and root for each other — at least while not ribbing one another.

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AP

Japan’s Shingo Katayama finished with a 68 on Sunday to end the tournament at 10-under par and in fourth place.

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“He was giving me a hard time about my belt today,” said Imada, who was wearing a psychedelic, multi-colored belt. “I told him I thought his outfit made him look like the ice cream man.”

Watson was playing in his second Masters, Imada his first.

“It’s definitely a dream come true to play here and to make the cut,” Imada said. “To shoot 69 on Sunday is an unbelievable experience. Today was Sunday at the Masters and I was just trying to enjoy every minute of it.”

Katayama shines

Lost in the three-way playoff and the shootout between Mickelson and Woods was the exemplary play of Japan’s Shingo Katayama. With a 68 on Sunday, the 36-year-old was 10-under for the tournament and finished alone in fourth place. That ties Toshi Izawa for the highest Masters finish for a Japanese citizen.

Three good holes

Dustin Johnson played holes 13, 14 and 15 close to perfect on Sunday. The 24-year-old from Columbia, S.C., who was playing in his first Masters, came two inches from eagling all three. His eagle putt on number 15 came up just short.

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Longtime Miami Herald columnist — and AJC alumnus — Edwin Pope was presented a framed photo and plaque from fellow members of the press in the media center during the tournament Sunday. Meanwhile, AJC columnist Furman Bisher was attending his 60th Masters this week.