The 2020 virtual Masters: A dozen potential surprises
By Bill Felber
Bernhard Langer, 1985, 1993 (1985-1994), -0.80
The first German to win a major championship, Langer was a consistent competitor at Augusta National from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s.
His two titles were among five top 10 finishes in the tournament.
Langer’s 1985 win basically came out of nowhere. Extended an invitation based on his play in Europe, he at that point had not won in the U.S., and had not really competed much here. Six strokes off the lead through 36 holes, he managed a Saturday 68 to tie Seve Ballesteros for third, two behind Ray Floyd, then the fun began.
Langer trailed new leader Curtis Strange by three shots until he birdied the 5th hole. But Strange birdied seven and eight to extend his advantage to three at the turn.
The backside par fives proved pivotal. Langer birdied both of them while Strange took two bogeys, boosting Langer into a one-stroke advantage. His eventual winning margin was two over Strange, Ballesteros and Ray Floyd.
His 1993 victory, on a rain-soaked course, came by four strokes over Chip Beck. On a long Saturday that included the conclusion of Friday’s second round, Langer built a four-stroke advantage. Dan Forsman closed within a stroke of Langer midway through Sunday’s final round, but ran afoul of the 12th hole, taking a quadruple-bogey seven. When Langer eagled the 13th he led Beck by a comfortable three strikes.
Virtual Masters projection: T-19.