1951: Hogan takes conservative route to Masters win
Sam Snead and Skee Riegel shared the 54-hole lead in 1951, and Ben Hogan was one shot behind. Most people figured that a Sunday shootout would ensue.
Snead did produce plenty of fireworks, but not the kind he wanted. He skied to an 80 that eliminated his chances.
Riegel, a young pro, didn't flinch. Playing a couple of hours in front of Hogan, he shot 71 and posted a 6-under total of 282.
Hogan got off to a hot start with a birdie at the second hole and he knocked his approach tight at the third for another birdie. At the eighth, he chipped in for birdie from just off the green and he made the turn in 3-under 33. That's when he noticed he had a one-shot lead over Riegel. All he needed to do was play the final nine in even par to slip into his first green coat.
Hogan played conservatively, making pars on every hole except the 13th, which he birdied. He won by two shots over Riegel.
1951 Masters
Player | F | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Earn. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ben Hogan | -8 | 70 | 72 | 70 | 68 | $3,000 | |
2 | Skee Riegel | -6 | 73 | 68 | 70 | 71 | $1,875 | |
3 | Lloyd Mangrum | -2 | 69 | 74 | 70 | 73 | $1,163 | |
3 | Lew Worsham | -2 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 72 | $1,163 | |
5 | Dave Douglas | E | 74 | 69 | 72 | 73 | $750 | |
6 | Lawson Little, Jr. | +1 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 72 | $600 | |
7 | Jim Ferrier | +2 | 74 | 70 | 74 | 72 | $525 | |
7 | Sam Snead | +2 | 69 | 74 | 68 | 79 | $450 | |
9 | Johnny Bulla | +3 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 75 | $450 | |
9 | Byron Nelson | +3 | 71 | 73 | 73 | 74 | $450 |