Adam Scott, Jason Day unable to make charge

A charge could have generated late-Sunday magic for two Aussies with plenty of Mas­ters Tour­na­ment success, but it never happened.

Adam Scott and Jason Day played together and both shot even-par 72 in the final round.

Scott was up and down throughout his round, opening with two bogeys on the first three holes before three consecutive birdies capped a 1-under first nine.

He swapped birdies and bogeys for much of the second nine before making par on the 18th hole for 72. He finished 1-over for the tournament.

“I still felt like, even going to the back nine, if I stood here with 4-under right now, you never know,” Scott said. “That’s what I was trying to work toward. Just the story of my weekend with some sloppy stuff around the greens, and that doesn’t bode well here.”

After an opening-round 69, Scott was tied for second and one stroke off the lead. He stayed in the top five after a second-round 72, but a third-round 76 sent him reeling. Scott fell outside the top 10 at the Masters for the first time since 2010, when he finished tied for 18th. His 76 on Saturday was his highest single-round total at Augusta National Golf Club since 2008.

Despite his week on the course, Scott said it was a great experience to play as a defending champion.

“I’ve enjoyed the week thoroughly,” he said. “It’s been a week I’ll never forget, the experiences I’ve had in playing a tournament as the defending champion, and all the ovations that you receive around here. They’re amazing memories for me.”

Day’s 72 left him 2-over for the tournament. Like Scott, he was up and down Sunday, posting five birdies and five bogeys.

Day was forced to climb back into contention after an opening-round 75. He rebounded with 73 on Friday and 70 on Saturday but was unable to make a run on the final day.

Day couldn’t improve on a run of close Masters finishes. He came in third last year after tying for second in 2011.

“I think that I did a lot of good things this week,” he said. “I just have to look at what needs to be improved for next year and then go on from there.”