IN BRIEF (Page 18)

Match Play: Charley Hoffman closed with a 74 at the Masters and tied for ninth but he gets a few consolation prizes. For starters, he is already eligible for next year. He also moved up 13 spots in the world rankings, securing his place in the Match Play Championship in San Francisco.

With the Match Play moving this year to April 29 (instead of February), the Masters could have played a big role in shaping the 64-man field. It worked that way for Hoffman but not so much for Ben Martin.

Martin missed the cut. He is No 64, though he is projected to drop because of his tie for third at Hilton Head a year ago. Martin at least is playing the RBC Heritage this week, so he can make the Match Play on his own.