Tie for 5th gives Henrik Stenson best Masters finish

Henrik Stenson’s final round began on a positive note, but he again lacked the steam to make a significant move.

Playing in his 13th Masters Tournament, Stenson was perhaps the most consistent player in the field this week. It didn't earn him  a green jacket, but it produced the best finish of his career at Augusta National Golf Club.

Stenson shot a third consecutive 2-under-par 70 in the final round Sunday to finish 9-under in a tie for fifth. He was joined by Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy.

The 41-year-old’s previous best finish was a tie for 14th in 2014. After missing the cut last year,  he secured his fourth top-20 finish in the past six years.

PHOTOS: Sunday's Round at the Masters

Stenson knocked his approach on No. 1 to 10 feet and made the birdie putt to kick off his final round in strong fashion. But after a missed birdie putt on No. 2 and a bogey on the 6th, it quickly became clear that a final-round charge would be tough to produce.

He hit his approach on No. 7 to five feet and made the birdie putt, but he failed to take advantage of the par-5 eighth and carded bogey on the ninth to shoot 36 on the first nine.

After pars on Nos. 10 and 11, Stenson made bogey on the 12th by failing to get up and down from the back side. He rebounded with birdie on No. 13 and did the same on the 15th, but he missed birdie chances on Nos. 16 and 17 before finishing with a four-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to  shoot 34 on the second nine and  70 for the round.

Stenson tied for seventh in greens in regulation for the week but was outside the top 10 in proximity to the hole, further limiting his birdie opportunities. He also ranked 38th in the field in driving distance for the week.