Perspective health fuel Snedeker

• By Rex Hoggard
• Apr 18, 2011 1:14 PM ET

He led the field last week in putting, just not on the holes when he needed it the most. But then Brandt Snedeker may be disappointed with his finishes, but not his play.

Snedeker’s fourth-place finish at the Texas Open marks his fourth top-10 card this year, and the second consecutive week he entered Sunday with a chance to win.

Although he faded to a 70 on Sunday at Augusta National (T-15) and came up two strokes short of Brendan Steele in Texas, which included a missed 10 footer for birdie at No. 16 and 11 footer for birdie at No. 17, he is encouraged by the progress following a difficult off-season.

Snedeker had surgery on his left hip to repair a torn labrum but has emerged from the off-season DL stronger and quicker than ever.

“He’s healthy, the hip is feeling a lot better, and having the baby (March 3) has helped,” said Snedeker’s Sea Island (Ga.) Resort-based swing coach Todd Anderson late Sunday. “It’s something other than golf to focus on when he’s done playing. Having the new baby brings a different perspective.”

Snedeker also benefited from an impromptu putting tip from Anderson last week at Augusta National. On fast greens Snedeker’s stroke tends to get long and slow, but Anderson convinced him to shorten up his stroke but keep the same rhythm. “I wanted him to have a little pop stroke, and it’s worked,” Anderson said.