The 2020 virtual Masters: The 10 statistical favorites
By Bill Felber
Sam Snead, 1949, 1952, 1954 (1949-1958), -1.56
The statistical differences between the next six players on this list are so small as to be functionally meaningless, and their odds of winning this virtual tournament, therefore, are almost indistinguishable.
Snead’s first of three Masters victories came with Ben Hogan sidelined by injuries, and in that sense might be viewed as tainted. Lingering back in the pack for two rounds, he closed with 67-67 to beat Johnny Bulla and Lloyd Mangrum by three strokes.
Tied with Skee Riegel for first through three rounds in 1950, Snead suffered through a stunning back nine 42 on Sunday that included an eight on the par-four 11th. He made up for it in 1952, battling Hogan much of the way and pulling ahead to a four-stroke win.
He and Hogan went at it again in 1954, Snead making up three strokes on the back nine Sunday to force a playoff, and winning that playoff by one.
Snead was hardly through. Following a distant third place finish in 1955, Snead came home three behind Jack Burke in 1956 and led entering the final round of the 1957 event. Snead still led Harvey Ward by three strokes through seven holes but bogeyed five of the next six to fall back into fourth place.
He did birdie three of the final four holes, but that only elevated him to the runner-up position three behind eventual champion Doug Ford.