With Masters Week at Augusta National Golf Club inching closer , a review of Snead ’ s record at Augusta reminds us of his undeniable greatness . The Virginia Golf Hall of Famer won three times , placed second twice and finished in the top five nine times . But rather than bury you with numbers , here are the remarkable stories behind Snead ’ s three triumphs .

1949

Snead opened the week as the sole representative of the tres amigos who ruled the tour in the 1940s . Ben Hogan was recovering

from a broken pelvis , collarbone and ankle suffered in head-on bus / car collision in February . While at Augusta , Byron Nelson had retired from the PGA Tour and played more as an emissary than a contestant .

Snead , too , had been on a decline . Poor , painful-to-watch putting led to no wins in 1947 and just one in 1948 . But by April 1949 , things were looking up for Sam . A new putter coupled with a few tips had rejuvenated his performance on the greens . A Greater Greensboro Open win the week before the Masters positioned Snead and the young season ’ s leading money winner , Lloyd Mangrum , as tournament favorites .

Winds howled the first two days of play , with steady currents at 20 mph and gusts north of 30 . The scores were high . Having posted a 73-75 in the first two rounds ,

At top , Claude Harmon puts the green jacket on Sam Snead at the 1949 Masters . Above , Snead ( at right ) stands with Billy Joe Patton , Ben Hogan and Bob Jones at the 1954 Masters .

Snead on Friday night found himself five shots behind Mangrum . But he didn ’ t feel he was out of it — he knew his putting would keep him in the mix .

Snead ’ s faith was well placed . He started Saturday by one-putting the first five holes on the way to a front-nine 32 , followed by a solid 35 on the second nine . His 67 — the

USGA MUSEUM