Bobby Jones began the Masters in 1934 as a tournament in which old friends could get together and compete over his Augusta National course. His best finish was in 1934, when he finished in a tie for 13th behind winner Horton Smith. He played his last in 1948, as the effects of the spinal disease syringomyelia which would claim his life in 1971 began to effect his strength and coordination. Paired with defending champion Jimmy Demaret in the first round, he began double-bogey, bogie, and birdied the 10th and 15th on his way to a 76. It would turn out to be his best score that week, as he would follow it with 81-79-79. Since there was no cut at the Masters until 1957, Jones played on.
Lew Worsham, winner of the 1947 U.S. Open, played with Jones in round two. He told Golf Digest in 1990: "Bob didn't feel he was competitive with the rest of the field anymore, but he played because he was the host. The people who came out got a kick out of watching him. He was the most pleasant to play with and he walked the full 18. I enjoyed it."
P.J. Berckmans, son of the former owner of the land (left), on the 9th tee (18th tee now) in 1933, a year after the course opened. From a scrapbook I found in my research.
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