By Bryan Hollister… It’s that time of year again, folks. All over the world, new gloves are being bought, sleeves of balls are flying off the shelves, and tee boxes everywhere are being viciously re-landscaped by hackers in pursuit of the dream.
Golf Fever, like Spring Fever, is tightening its grip on humanity.
Heralding for many the official start of the golf season, Augusta National is hosting The Masters tournament this week, an invitation only event that matches the best golfers in the world against not only each other, but one of the most storied golf courses around.
Begun in 1934 as the “Augusta National Invitation” Tournament, The Masters has seen its fair share of legendary golfers and memorable moments, both good and bad. Lets look back on what I consider the top 10 memorable moments or shots in Masters history.
10. (1975) Lee Elder’s Historic Tee Shot
No, Lee did not win the Masters in 1975, but he did do something historic: with his opening tee shot he became the first black player to qualify for and play in the Masters tournament. You see, Augusta National was not just a “Men Only” club at the time, it was a “White Men Only” club. In fact, Augusta wouldn’t even open membership up to blacks for another 15 years after Elder played.
Lee’s play was nothing spectacular, but his heart was. In mid 1975, racial disharmony was still felt throughout the country, especially down south. Even though he faced death threats so serious that he rented two houses near the course, and never went out in public alone, he still teed off and played.
Though he never won a major, he won the hearts of many with his courage.
9. (1961) Gary Player, International Superstar
There were no spectacular shots over water. Player didn’t have any amazing saves from greenside bunkers. He din’t shoot a hole in one. Heck he didn’t even come close to tying or breaking any course records.
Except one: with his last putt at the 18th hole on Sunday, Gary Player became the first non-American to win the Masters tournament. He wasn’t the first to play, but he was the first to break through. 27 years after it’s inception, the Masters became truly international.
8. (1986) Greg Norman pushes himself out
Greg Norman is considered by most to be not only one of the greatest pure ball strikers in the history of golf, but also one of the best to never win the Masters. It wasn’t for lack of effort, mind you: Norman was close plenty of times, but just couldn’t seem to seal the deal.
One of those moments came in 1986. Norman started the final day of the tournament tied for the lead with Seve Ballesteros, but a double bogey on the 10th hole dropped him out of the top spot. Never one to give up, Norman plugged along and put himself back in a tie for first with a birdie on 17.
But it wasn’t to be: after a fabulous tee shot Norman pushed his approach wide and into the gallery, causing him to make bogey on the 18th when all he needed was a par to force a playoff.
7. (1987) Larry Mize: From caddy shack to Green Jacket
Okay, maybe not the caddyshack, but the scorekeepers shack at least.
Mize first appeared at Augusta National as a teenager working the scoreboard on the third hole. By 1987 he had been on the PGA Tour for 7 years, exhibiting solid play but limited success. Then came the Masters.
Locked in a three-way tie for the lead after 72 holes, Mize went on to make one of the most memorable shots in Masters History. After knocking Seve Ballesteros out on the first hole of extra play, Mize and his opponent moved on to the 11th hole. A wayward tee shot left Mize 46 yards off of the putting surface and all hope seemed to be lost.
Apparently hope had other plans. From 46 yards out, with a sand wedge, Mize hit a beautiful shot that went in for birdie. His opponent missed his birdie attempt, and just like that Larry Mize won his first, and ONLY, major championship.
Oh, his opponent? Greg Norman.
6. (1960) Arnold Palmer: last second shots for the win
You knew when Arnold Palmer was on the charge: Arnie’s Army let the whole world know.
Such was the case in 1960. Two years removed from his last Masters victory, Palmer was late into Sunday’s round and trailed Ken Venturi by two shots. After surviving Amen Corner, Palmer steeled himself for the final stretch and went birdie-birdie on 17 and 18, snatching the victory from Venturi by one stroke.
Palmer would go on to win the Masters again in 1962 and 1964, but none had a finish quite like his final round in 1960.
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