Two Old Masters

The annual Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta, Ga., probably holds more memories, happy and unhappy, than any other in the world. It was there that Gene Sarazen shot his famed double eagle, holing out with a 220-yd. wood shot for a two on a par five hole, to tie and later win in 1935. Last week Old Pro Sarazen, now 50, carried away another memory: a "shocking" eight, five over par, on the short 12th hole. For the first time in 30 years of tournament play, Sarazen quit in disgust. But not Sam Snead.

Snead could also recall an unhappy time. Just last year, when he was leading at the fourth and final round, he shot a disastrous eight (on No. 11), and folded, with an 80, thoroughly out of the running. On that occasion, cool Ben Hogan, who could remember losing the 1946 Masters when he three-putted the final green, came from behind to win with a four-under-par 68. Last week, after the second round, it seemed the same story all over again, with two old masters out in front of the younger aspirants. It was front-running Snead, 37, v. fast-finishing Hogan, 39.

Both shot 70s on the first round. Hogan, playing his usual deliberate, calculating game, added another 70. Snead, more flamboyant and erratic, shot a dazzling 67, for a three-stroke lead. Sharpshooting Sam, not forgetting the usual Hogan hex, was nevertheless bubbling: "I'm riding a hunch that's almost infallible. Almost every time I play the short holes in par, or better, I win. And I'm three under par right now. I've had four deuces, three threes and a four."

Some of the bubble and bounce went out of Snead in the third round. A blustery wind sent scores soaring. Hogan, imperturbable as usual, had a 74. Snead, playing later and knowing what he had to do to keep the lead, couldn't do it. He shot a 77, sending golf's two topflight players into the final round tied at 214 apiece. Said Hogan, discussing his chances with a tight-lipped smile: "The low score will win."

The wind let up a little for the final round, but the skittery greens proved too much for the U.S. Open champion. Hogan putted 40 times, came home in seven over par. Snead started steadily, played poorly on the 11th, almost blew up when he dropped his 12th tee shot in the water. His next shot, almost as bad, barely hung on the far bank of the stream. He recovered with a miraculous pitch into the cup. After that the tension was gone. Although he did not need it to win, Snead finished with a fine birdie 3 on the 18th. His winning score: 286.

Even Snead admitted that it was Hogan's collapse rather than his own skill that decided the tournament. Said the new Masters champion with an air of discovery: "I guess Hogan is human after all."

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