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Second-round 67 critical for Snead
Posted: Tuesday April 03, 2001 7:05 PM
Updated: Wednesday April 04, 2001 12:14 AM
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Sam Snead hits an approach shot at the 1952 Masters, which he won despite shooting a third-round 77. File/Augusta Chronicle |
By Chris Gay
The Augusta Chronicle
Early in the week of the 1952 Masters, Ben Hogan played host to the first Masters Club dinner (now known as the Champions Dinner).
Sam Snead made sure his rival for golf's spotlight didn't plan back-to-back dinners. Snead was the only player to break par for the tournament with a 2-under 286 to defeat Jack Burke Jr. by four shots.
He brought home a $4,000 check with the win.
But The Slammer's journey to his second green jacket didn't start in championship form: Snead carded a double bogey on the par-4 first hole Thursday. However, he followed with three birdies in the next five holes on the way to an opening-round 70.
The Virginia golfer matched his best-ever round at the Masters when he birdied the first three holes and shot a 67 in the second round.
He opened up a three-shot lead over his nearest competitor, Hogan.
With a nasty wind wreaking havoc in round three, only two players broke par. Neither Hogan nor Snead was among the two.
Snead was 5-over through the first 13 holes of his third round, but parred out the rest of the way for a 77.
Meanwhile, Hogan picked up ground with birdies on holes 12, 13 and 15. With a 35 on the back nine, Hogan shot a 74 for a share of the 54-hole lead with Snead. Only a three-putt bogey on No. 18 kept Hogan from the outright lead.
With the wind still rough Sunday, Hogan blew to a final-round 79. The year before, Snead shot a final-round 80, opening the door for Hogan's first Masters title.
Snead teed off before Hogan on Sunday and was 1-under through seven holes. He then three-putted the par-5 eighth for bogey and took two putts on the par-4 ninth after a chip shot for another bogey.
He poured in a 22-foot birdie on No. 10, but soon after nearly drowned his round. Snead splashed his tee shot on No. 12 and hit his third shot to the edge of the green. But a chip-in for bogey saved Snead and his title hopes.
After a birdie on No. 13, Snead parred the next four holes. He hooked his tee shot on No. 18 before dropping a seven-iron seven feet from the hole. He made the putt to finish at 72.
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