9781422284230

GREATEST MOMENTS

The Double Eagle

When Gene Sarazen played the Masters in 1935, he was already an established golf star. The tournament itself, however, was not. The Masters had debuted the year before and did not have the same status in the sport as the U.S. and British Opens. On the 15th hole in the fourth round, Sarazen changed that forever. Sarazen trailed clubhouse leader Craig Wood by three shots as he teed off at the par-5 15th hole, meaning he needed at least three birdies over the last four holes to force a play-off. He hit a 265-yard drive down the right side, leaving 230 yards to the green. Sarazen selected a 4 wood for his second shot and let loose with a low blast that bounced once onto the green then once more before starting its roll toward the cup and infamy. The gallery erupted as it went in. Sarazen tied the tournament with one swing and went on to win in a play-off.

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