1958 Masters Tournament

The 1958 Masters Tournament was the 22nd Masters Tournament, held April 3Ã¢ÂÂ6 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Arnold Palmer won the first of his four Masters titles, one stroke ahead of runners-up Doug Ford and Fred Hawkins. It was the first of his seven major titles.

Recap

Arnold Palmer, age28, was the third round co-leader and eagled the 13thhole on Sunday to propel him to victory, as he three-putted on the final green. Three-time champion Sam Snead, age 45, was the other co-leader after 54 holes, but shot a 79(+7) on Sunday to fall to 13thplace. One stroke back entering the final round was 1955 champion Cary Middlecoff, who carded a 75 in the final round and tied for 6th.

Palmer's first Masters victory was not without some controversy. On the 12thhole of the final round, Palmer thought his tee ball was embedded behind the green but the on-site rules official would not give him relief. Playing that ball as it lay, Palmer made a double-bogey. Upset over the questionable ruling and the double-bogey, Palmer then played a second ball from behind the green and, after taking relief, made a par. Several holes later word came from the tournament officials that Palmer was entitled to relief and his par score on 12 would stand.

Palmer's caddy was Nathaniel "Iron Man" Avery.

Prior to the tournament, two stone arch bridges crossing Rae's Creek were dedicated, honoring two-time champions Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. Hogan's is at the par-3 12thhole, and commemorated his record 72-hole score in 1953, his second win at Augusta and first of three consecutive majors that year. The other bridge departs the 13thtee; Nelson went birdie-eagle at these two holes in the final round in 1937, gained six strokes on the leader, and won the first of his five majors.

Sports Illustrated writer Herbert Warren Wind first used the term "Amen Corner" in a story to describe where the critical final day's action had occurred.

This was the first major to have a five-figure winner's share; six figures arrived at the 1983 PGA Championship and seven at the 2001Masters.

During the first day of the tournament, a man named AllenW. Perkins gained entry to Augusta National by asking golfer Cary Middlecoff to share a ride from the hotel where they both were staying. As club staff assumed he was a player, Perkins proceeded to help himself to a spot in the locker room, practice on the putting green, and begin golfing on hole1, Tea Olive. Perkins was forced by security to buy a ticket and remove his belongings from the clubhouse.