The 2020 virtual Masters: The 10 statistical favorites
By Bill Felber
Ben Hogan, 1951, 1953 (1946-1955, -1.77
Hogan’s record between 1946 and 1955 challenges Palmer’s as the model of consistent excellence.
In the decade following the conclusion of World War II, he won the Masters twice, finished second three other times, and was never worse than t7. Hogan’s most remarkable stretch, of course, followed his recovery from his crippling 1949 auto-bus accident.
In his return to major tournament play, he tied for fourth in 1950, won in 1951, tied for seventh in 1952, won again in 1953, lost a playoff to Sam Snead in 1954 and finished second to Cary Middlecoff in 1955.
In 1951, Hogan began the final round one stroke behind Snead and Skee Riegel, but birdied two of the first three holes to take the lead and gradually pulled away. He led by three strokes midway through the back nine and recorded a 68 to polish off Riegel by two strokes, Lloyd Mangrum and Lew Worsham four more strokes behind.
In 1953, Hogan’s greatest season, he seized the lead with a Friday 69, expanded it to four strokes on Saturday, and came home a winner by five. He would go on to win the U.S. Open and British Open.
His 1954 playoff loss to Snead came after Hogan gave up a three-stroke advantage in the first six holes on Sunday. In the playoff, Snead birdied the 13th to take a one-stroke lead and held on to win with a 70 to Hogan’s 71.