P.J. Maybank's lucky socks not enough for repeat at Drive, Chip & Putt finals

P.J. Maybank III’s lucky socks didn’t quite work this time.

Maybank, of Cheboygan, Mich., finished tied for third in the Boys 12-13 group Sunday in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club.

See photos from Sunday's Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals

Last year, Maybank won his age group and got national media attention for wearing a pair of socks that depicted Jack Nicklaus’ win at the 1986 Masters.

“Yes, I did,” Maybank said, rolling up his pants legs. “Same ones as last year.”

He wasn’t displeased with his performance.

“I got some hardware, so it’s all right” he said. “The trophy’s just a little smaller.”

Maybank won the driving portion of the contest with a blast of 268.7 yards. In the chipping, his first one came up almost 10 feet short and his second effort was better for a combined total of 12 feet, 7 inches.

“I hit a good drive, about as far as I can hit,” he said. “We didn’t get any roll because it was raining this morning.”

In putting at Augusta National’s 18th green, Maybank’s first putt went 3 feet, 5 inches past the cup and he almost made the second one, finishing just 10 inches away.

“My first putt was looking good, and once it was past the hole it kind of just kept creeping and creeping,” he said. “The greens were a little slower because of the rain but they were still pretty fast.”

Maybank had a combined 23 points (first in driving, fifth in chipping and fourth in putting), which left him 3.5 points behind winner Matthew Vital of Bethlehem, Pa.

This year marked the third time that Maybank competed in the finals at Augusta National. He was sixth in the Boys 7-9 in 2015 and won the Boys 12-13 a year ago.

Maybank turns 14 later this month, and he’s looking forward to trying to qualify for Augusta again.

After attending Monday’s practice round at the Masters, he’ll head for home.

“I’ll go back and practice some more for next year,” he said.