The 2020 virtual Masters: A dozen potential surprises
By Bill Felber
Seve Ballesteros, 1980, 1983 (1982-1991), -0.87
The first European Masters champion, Ballesteros celebrated his 1980 Masters victory less than a week after his 23rd birthday. That championship falls outside his 10-year peak window, but happens to still be worth recalling.
Entering as the reigning British Open champion, his first-round 66 was good for a share of the lead with David Graham and Jeff Mitchell. He followed that with a 69 to command a four-stroke advantage over Graham and Rex Caldwell.
On Saturday, Ballesteros expanded that lead to seven strokes with a 68, turning his Sunday round into a coronation. Whatever doubt remained Sunday morning was removed when Ballesteros birdied three of the first five holes to build his lead to 10 strokes over Jack Newton. And although the back nine Sunday occasionally got choppy – Ballesteros shot 39 – he still cruised home four in front of Newton and Gibby Gilbert.
In 1983 Ballesteros started Sunday one stroke behind Ray Floyd and defending champion Craig Stadler, but played the first two holes in three under par to seize a two-stroke lead. That advantage grew to four strokes by the turn, and although Ballesteros again played indifferently on the back nobody ever got closer. He beat Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite by those four strokes.
Ballesteros had memorable opportunities to add a third Green Jacket, notably in 1987 when he was the third man in the memorable Larry Mize vs. Greg Norman playoff. One hole before Mize’s chip-in, Ballesteros was eliminated from contention with a par while the other two contenders both birdied.
He also finished second in 1985 and tied for third in 1982.
Virtual Masters projection: T-13.