The 2020 virtual Masters: A dozen potential surprises
By Bill Felber
Henry Picard, 1938 (1937-1946), -0.78
Because he played in the pre-television era, Picard is little recalled today. He was one of the stars of his time, blessed with both game – he added the 1939 PGA to his 1938 Masters – and charm.
Between 1935 and the onset of World War II, Picard played in six Masters, only once finishing outside the top 10. Tied with Craig Wood for the lead through 12 holes of the final round in 1935, he played the final six holes in one-over and was overtaken by Gene Sarazen’s famed double eagle at 15. He came home fourth, four strokes out of the Sarazen-Wood playoff.
The 1938 tournament was Picard’s. Leading four players by a stroke through three rounds, he closed with an uneventful 70 to beat Harry Cooper and Ralph Guldahl by two.
Picard stood fifth, four behind Jimmy Demaret, through three rounds in 1940. But his worst round of the tournament, a Sunday 75, knocked him out of contention.
Picard was one of the first Tour players to enjoy the benefits of business sponsorship. A native of Hershey, Pa., his Tour efforts were supported by the Hershey Candy Company, whose owner, Milton Hershey, enjoyed the free publicity that attached itself to the deeds of the man known as “The Hershey Hurricane.”
Virtual Masters projection: T-19.