Crenshaw became part of Masters history with 1984, 1995 wins

LOOK BACK ON CRENSHAW’S MASTERS WINS

1984

Ben Crenshaw will always be remembered for being one of the greatest putters in golf history, but not even “Gentle Ben” could have predicted he would make a 60-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole in the final round of the 1984 Masters.

That unexpected birdie completed three in a row, and Crenshaw held on to win his first Masters.

It was a day that had been in the making for years. As a hotshot amateur coming out of the University of Texas, Crenshaw had dominated the college ranks and was expected to be a force in the majors.

He had come so close so many times in the past 11 years, only to fail, that there were doubts in Crenshaw’s mind.

“I’ve finished second (in the Masters) by one shot. I’ve lost in a playoff at the PGA. I hit it in the water on the 71st hole of the U.S. Open and double-bogeyed the 71st hole at the British Open when I had a chance to win. You start wondering whether you are really going to hold yourself together,” Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw made up a two-shot deficit against rival Tom Kite at the start of the round to take the lead at the ninth hole and held it the rest of the way.

He finished with an 11-under-par 277, two shots better than Tom Watson.

“Today was my day. I was determined I was not going to let any shots slip today,” Crenshaw said. “I just tried to control myself and control my golf game. I tried to hit fairways and greens, and I did a pretty good job.”

1995

Ben Crenshaw might not have won the 1995 Masters Tournament had Carl Jackson not taken the “caddie shortcut” to the edge of the ninth fairway at Augusta National Golf Club to save some time.

The move put Jackson about 150 yards away from Crenshaw, who was teeing off on No. 9.

It allowed Jackson to see two flaws in Crenshaw’s swing during a pivotal practice round and helped set in motion Crenshaw’s unlikely victory.

Crenshaw was struggling with his game – and his emotions. Famed golf instructor Harvey Penick, who helped Crenshaw when he had swing problems, had died the previous Sunday.

Crenshaw traveled to Austin, Texas, for Penick’s funeral, the day before the first round of the Masters.

“I was an emotional wreck; my concentration was not there,” Crenshaw said. “My game was bad and so was I after that news Sunday night (about Penick’s death).”

When Crenshaw returned from Penick’s funeral, he came back with confidence in his game, thanks to the changes Jackson had suggested.

And playing with memories of Penick in his head, Crenshaw went out and shot 70-67-69-68. His 14-under-par 274 clipped Davis Love III by a shot.

At the end, Crenshaw buried his face in his hands and broke down crying. He later credited Jackson with helping him win, and through the emotional ending.

“When that final putt dropped, I dropped,” Crenshaw said. “I couldn’t even breathe, I was crying so hard. (Carl) helped me up. He’s a very, very tender man. And a great friend.”