Posted 4/14/03 9:57 am ET

Masters Playoffs - 1930s

Sarazen's shot puts Augusta on golf's map

Gene Sarazen won the 1935 Masters in the tournament's only 36-hole playoff. He forced the playoff by making a double eagle on the 15th hole in the final round. File/The Augusta Chronicle

By John Boyette
The Augusta Chronicle

Call it a miracle. Call it a gift from heaven.

The ``shot heard 'round the world'' - as Gene Sarazen's double eagle on the 15th hole in the 1935 Masters Tournament came to be known - put Augusta and the Masters on the map for good.

Tournament co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts could not have dreamed of a better scenario. In its second year, the Masters received a dose of publicity that no money could buy.

Trailing leader Craig Wood by three strokes with just four holes to play, Sarazen needed a miracle finish to force a tie. He picked up the strokes he needed when his second shot to the 15th, a par-5 guarded by a pond in front, found the cup for the rarest of all golf shots. The 4-wood shot from 235 yards was witnessed by only a handful of spectators, but among them was Jones. Presumably, he had gone to see Sarazen and his playing partner Walter Hagen finish their round.

Sarazen parred the last three holes to finish regulation play at 6-under 282.

The next day, Sarazen and Wood met in the only 36-hole playoff in tournament history. After the theatrics of the previous day, the Monday playoff was anti-climactic as Sarazen finished with an even-par total of 144 (71-73) to beat Wood's 149 total (75-74) by five strokes.

In the chilly weather, Sarazen played steady, consistent golf. He recorded 24 straight pars, from the 11th hole of the first round through the 16th hole in the second 18.

Associated Press Sports Editor Alan Gould, in his story the next day, wrote that Sarazen put on ``one of the most flawless exhibitions of shot-making ever witnessed. Gene was a scoring machine from tee to green all day long.''

For the day, Sarazen had pars except for three birdies and three bogeys.

Wood fell four shots behind after the morning round and could not recover. Four bogeys on the front nine in the afternoon left him eight behind Sarazen, assuring Sarazen the tournament and the first-place prize of $1,500.

Craig Wood lost to Sarazen by five shots in the 1935 playoff. File/The Augusta Chronicle

The Squire, as Sarazen was called, later was known for his attire as much as his golf game. His knickers, or ``plus-fours,'' were as much his signature as Ben Hogan's cap and Sam Snead's straw hat.

The tournament - and Sarazen - saw a big change in 1935. The nines were reversed because the morning frost often delayed play on the first few holes.

Sarazen, who added the Masters to his resume of championship wins that included the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, would have the distinction of being the first man to win all four titles in his career.

It was the beginning of a long relationship with Augusta National. After his playing days, Sarazen became an honorary starter for the tournament in 1981 and continued in that role until his death in 1999.

Making his second appearance since his early retirement, tournament host Jones was never a factor in the 1935 Masters. He finished tied for 25th with rounds of 74, 72, 73 and 78.

Nevertheless, in his story Gould noted that Jones ``plans to renew the friendly tussle next spring in a tournament that has taken its place among the country's foremost golfing fixtures.''

1935 Masters
Player	Score	Earnings
*Gene Sarazen	68-71-73-70-282	$1,500
Craig Wood	69-72-68-73-282	$800
Olin Dutra	70-70-70-74-284	$600
Henry Picard	67-68-76-75-286	$500
Denny Shute	73-71-70-73-287	$400
Lawson Little Jr.	74-72-70-72-288	amateur
Paul Runyan	70-72-75-72-289	$300
Vic Ghezzi	73-71-73-73-290	$250
Bobby Cruickshank	76-70-73-72-291	$138
Jimmy Hines	70-70-77-74-291	$138
Byron Nelson	71-74-72-74-291	$138
Joe Turnesa	73-71-74-73-291	$138
* Sarazen won 36-hole playoff 144-149

 

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