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Posted March 21, 2012, 12:34 am |

1941: Craig Wood wins Masters after finishing second in 1934

  • Article Photos
    1941: Craig Wood wins Masters after finishing second in 1934
    Photos description
    Wood
  • Article Photos
    1941: Craig Wood wins Masters after finishing second in 1934
    Photos description
    Front Page of The Augusta Chronicle after the 1941 Masters Tournament

With a little bit of luck, Craig Wood could have won multiple Masters before the tournament was interrupted by World War II. He was runner-up by a shot in the inaugural event in 1934, and the next year Gene Sarazen caught Wood with his improbable double eagle in the final round. Sarazen prevailed the next day in the only 36-hole playoff in tournament history.

By the time the 1940s rolled around, Wood had to wonder whether he would ever win at Augusta National.

In 1941, Wood took luck out of the equation. He opened with a brilliant 6-under 66, and he followed with consecutive rounds of 71. Going into the final round, Wood held a commanding lead.

He did nothing to put his victory in jeopardy, and his final-round 72 was good for a three-shot win over Byron Nelson. Wood became the first wire-to-wire winner of the Masters.

1941 Masters

 PlayerFR1R2R3R4 Earn.
1Craig Wood-866717172 $1,500
2Byron Nelson-571697370 $800
3Sam Byrd-373706874 $600
4Ben Hogan-271727568 $500
5Ed DudleyE73727568 $400
6Sam Snead+173757269 $275
7Willie Goggin+371727276 $117
7Lloyd Mangrum+371727276 -
7Harold McSpaden+375747270 $117
10Jimmy Demaret+477697175 $50
10Clayton Heafner+473707673 $50