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Strange's creek shot proved costly
Posted: Friday April 12, 2002 5:56 PM
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Curtis Strange removes his rain gear after hitting out of the water on #13. The Augusta Chronicle |
By Scott Michaux
The Augusta Chronicle
Curtis Strange doesn't weigh himself down with a lot of what-ifs.
"It's almost unfair to go back and second-guess," Strange says of his failed attempt to reach the par-5 13th green in two shots, a miss that ultimately cost him the 1985 Masters. "If I knew what (Bernhard) Langer was doing on every shot, I might have played it differently."
Seventeen years ago in the 13th fairway - with Langer in the group in front - Strange was two shots ahead and in firm control. But knowing other players would be attacking the closing par 5s, Strange needed defense.
"There's no reason not to do what you think is right," he said. "I felt like I had to make a birdie there."
The ensuing years haven't worn away any details. Strange can still rattle off the specifics as if his caddie had just whispered them in his ear.
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In this series of articles, The Augusta Chronicle looks at some of the 'disasters' throughout Masters history. Use the pull-down menu to get from story to story.
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"Perfect 213 yards ... 4-wood, plenty of club," he says. "I decided that was the shot."
Why would Strange doubt his execution? He rallied from an opening-round 80 with a 65 and a 68 in the ensuing rounds. He went out in 4-under-par 32 on Sunday and recovered from a three-putt bogey at No. 10 by draining a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-3 12th.
"I hadn't missed too many shots the last 2 1/2 days," Strange said.
Strange missed this time, and his approach spilled into the tributary of Rae's Creek. With the ball mostly submerged in an inch of water, Strange attempted to play it out. It failed to clear the bank and rolled back into some grass at the bottom of the ditch.
"The shot that was the worst of the whole scenario was the first out of the creek," he said. "A typical bunker shot, I didn't hit it hard enough. That's the shot I'd like to have back."
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| WORST PERFORMANCE BY A WINNER |
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Curtis Stange opened the 1985 Masters with an 80. If he had won he would have set a record for worst opening score.
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Score |
Player |
Year |
| Start |
75 |
Craig Stadler |
1982 |
| Finish |
75 |
Arnold Palmer |
1962 |
| Round |
77 |
Sam Snead |
1952 |
| Round |
77 |
Nick Faldo |
1989 |
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Strange's bogey at 13 drew Langer within one, and another bogey at No. 15 proved decisive. But it wasn't a mistake that Strange regrets.
"I hit a good shot and misjudged," he said of his approach that found the pond fronting the No. 15 green. "I absolutely flushed the 4-iron, and it came up short."
While Strange faltered on the back-nine par 5s, Langer capitalized. Five-iron approaches into both 13 and 15 set up the German for two-putt birdies. His closing charge of 33, compared to Strange's 39, was enough to give Langer the first of his two green jackets.
Strange never came as close in 11 more Masters.
"You deal with it," he said. "I had my chances at Augusta."
But his legacy was secured with back-to-back U.S. Opens in 1988-89, his service as Ryder Cup team captain and a sustained career as an analyst for ABC Sports.
Despite the cruel treatment that No. 13 and Rae's Creek gave Strange that day, his appreciation for Bobby Jones' favorite par-5 remains unspoiled.
"I still think it's the greatest golf hole in the world," Strange says.
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