The 2020 Virtual Masters: The Potential Longshots Who could Surprise

By Bill Felber | Apr 8, 2020

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: (L-R) Danny Willett of England congratulates Sergio Garcia of Spain during the Green Jacket ceremony after Garcia won in a playoff during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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2013 Masters champion Adam Scott. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

Virtual Masters projection 26-31

Adam Scott, 2013 (2010-2019), -0.57. Scott’s 2013 victory was one of four top 10 performances during his peak. He tied for second in 2011, for eighth in 2012 and for ninth in 2017. But he also had three finishes outside the top 30 during his peak seasons.

Herman Keiser, 1946 (1943-1952), -0.53. Possibly the least-known Masters champion, Keiser beat Ben Hogan by one stroke in the first post-war Masters. His only other top 10 finish was a tie for 10th in 1948.

Jack Burke Jr., 1956 (1951-1960), -0.53. The oldest living former Masters champion, Burke was a consistent contender in the 1950s. Aside from his one-stroke victory over amateur Ken Venturi, he finished second to Sam Snead in 1952, and had three other top 10s.

Doug Ford, 1957 (1952-1961), -0.49. Ford tied for sixth in 1956, beat Sam Snead by three strokes in 1957, and tied for second in 1958. The remainder of his peak, however, was ordinary with no other top 20 finishes.

Horton Smith, 1934, 1936 (1934-1943), -0.44. The winner of the inaugural Masters, Smith became the first repeat champion two years later. His rating is hurt by the fact that he managed only one other finish higher than t-19, a fifth place in 1942.

Larry Mize, 1987 (1985-1994), -0.33. An Augusta native, Mize’s 1987 victory – with a chip in during a payoff with Greg Norman – is one of Augusta’s most enduring moments. During his peak window, however, he had only two other top 10 Masters finishes.

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