30 years later: Mize’s parents look back on improbable victory

Standing on No. 18 green at Augusta National Golf Club, Larry Mize took three practice strokes and then wiped the face of his putter against his pant leg.

It was April 12, 1987, and the Augusta native needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to tie for the lead at that stage with Seve Ballesteros and Ben Crenshaw, who were still on the course.

“I thought I was going to die,” said Charles Mize, Larry’s father. “It’s been 30 years and I’m still nervous that putt won’t go in.”

It did, and would be later overshadowed by his son’s historic chip shot on the second hole of sudden-death playoff.

Charles, 89, and wife, Elizabeth, live off Washington Road in Columbia County, exactly 9.6 miles from Augusta National.

Outside of their property, horses roam the yard, as a dirt driveway leads to the front door. Inside the home, photos of grandchildren engulf each bookshelf, while memories from the 1987 Masters cover the walls.

“We celebrate Christmas, Easter and Masters Week,” said Elizabeth, 87. “I truly believe Augusta National is as close to God as you can get on Earth.”

Thirty years have passed since the 1987 tournament – a week that started with Elizabeth breaking a toe following Thursday’s opening round.

After Mize opened play with a two-under-par 70, his mother stayed awake for the 11 p.m. newscast in hopes of seeing her family on television. However, as Larry slept, Elizabeth hit her right foot on a kitchen chair, fracturing the toe next to her pinky.

“You know what I did?” she asked, rhetorically. “I woke up Friday, put on my hose and socks, and went straight back to the course. By the time I got to No. 7, my foot was completely numb.”

As the week trekked on, so did Charles and Elizabeth. The two walked each hole with their son, watching closely as Larry shot 72 on Friday and entered the weekend one stroke behind Curtis Strange.

Mize posted another 72 on Saturday and was two strokes behind co-leaders Crenshaw and Roger Maltbie entering the final round. However, as Sunday wound down, he found himself in the lead as he prepared for his second shot on the par-5 15th.

“Larry crushed his drive,” Charles recalled. “But he was so amped up that his second shot sailed over the green.”

Unsure where the ball ended up, Charles walked briskly from No. 15 fairway to the green, when he saw the unfortunate result.

Mize’s shot found water, wasting a likely birdie opportunity and instead carding a bogey. Two holes later, Larry remained one stroke behind heading to No. 18.

“Larry had to birdie the last hole to have any chance,” Charles said. “We all knew it.”

After playing his second shot to six feet, Mize rolled in the putt and unleashed two fist pumps toward the crowd. As the roar vibrated across Augusta National, Charles turned to Elizabeth for a hug – and medication.

“Charles could hardly contain himself,” she said. “He was going nuts.”

Knowing a playoff was now likely, Elizabeth reached into her pocket and extended her hand to Charles.

“All day, I kept a Valium in my pocket in case Charles needed it,” said Elizabeth, laughing. “Well, after Larry birdied 18, Charles had to have it.”

Added Charles: “I could hardly breathe. We were watching with our friends, John and Tammy Hurley, and I turned to John and said, ‘If I pass out, you better not call a doctor. You throw me over your shoulder and walk me down No. 10.’”

The playoff

Charles still admits Larry’s best chance to win should have been on No. 10 – the first playoff hole. In a three-man sudden death, Greg Norman and Ballesteros (who was eliminated with a bogey) had already missed birdie chances, and Mize had an uphill putt to claim victory.

The putt, however, slid left, causing Mize to lower his head.

“When Larry lowered his head,” Charles said. “I lowered mine, too.”

Charles and Elizabeth raced toward No. 11, but could only get as far as the fairway. With Amen Corner flooded with patrons, Mize’s parents didn’t try to move closer out of respect for those who had waited for the playoff.

“I knew Larry hit a poor second shot, but that’s all I could tell,” Charles said. “Then, next thing I remember is that roar.”

That roar. That 100-foot chip. That leap into the still April air at Augusta National.

As Amen Corner shook, Charles and Elizabeth made their final trek of the week toward the green jacket ceremony on the practice putting green.

“It was the greatest walk of my life,” Elizabeth said. “It’s been 30 years, but it feels like yesterday.”

Reach Doug Stutsman at (706) 823-3341 or doug.stutsman@augustachronicle.com