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| - Brendon Todd launched the best season of his career by winning last year's US PGA Bermuda Championship and hopes to continue the momentum when he defends the title starting Thursday. The 35-year-old American is the top-rated player in the world at Port Royal Golf course this week at world number 41 and will try to become the first player to defend a PGA title since Brooks Koepka at last year's PGA Championship. "Coming back to a place where I feel like I have good form at a course that suits me can build more confidence heading into the Masters and potentially give me another chance to win a tournament," Todd said Wednesday. "Lots to play for here in Bermuda and again next week in Houston for a lot of guys." Todd, who missed the cut in 2015 Masters in his only prior Augusta National start, won last November and again two weeks later in his next start at Mayakoba for his third PGA triumph. "It feels really good. Was a lot of fun rehashing memories," Todd said. "I feel like one of the older guys out here now and I feel like all those years of experience and now the good form has given me reason to be confident and consistent and contend every week." This year, Todd fired a career-low 61 at the Travelers to lead entering the final round but shot 75 and shared 11th. He also led after 54 holes at the WGC St. Jude Invitational, only to again shoot 75 and share 15th. "Just an awesome year, one I think that hopefully is a step in the right direction and one that maybe I can repeat again this year, even the next year," Todd said. Todd is struggling to get his short game in shape with formidable Augusta National only two weeks away. "Feel like I'm putting maybe as consistently as I've ever putted. Still pretty consistent off the tee," Todd said. "I haven't chipped very well, so I think that's led to a few more bogeys and it's dropped me out of contention a little bit each week. Just tighten up a little bit around the greens and I'll do pretty well." The event features players trying to return to top form or young rising stars seeking a breakthrough such as 19-year-old Dane Rasmus Hojgaard, twice a European Tour winner seeking his first US PGA victory. js/
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