In a ceremony held in St. Augustine, Fla., on Monday, May 9, Doug Ford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, celebrating a career that included two major championships amongst a total of 19 professional victories. The class of 2011 also included Ernie Els, the late Jock Hutchison, Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, the late Frank Chirkinian and former President George H.W. Bush.
At the age of 34, Ford won the 1957 Masters Tournament on the strength of a final-round 66. Standing 225 yards from the green on the par-5 15th, and a day after finding the water on his second shot, Ford pulled a 4-iron, intending to lay up. Tied with Sam Snead, Ford was talked out of the decision by his caddie, who suggested a 3-wood.
"Here goes the whole ballgame," Ford said at the time.
The change of heart proved fruitful, as his second barely cleared the bank and stopped on the green, giving Ford an easy two-putt birdie, his fifth of the day.
A holed-out bunker shot for birdie on No. 18 capped a second-nine 32 and a closing 66, giving Ford a Masters victory in just his fifth appearance and the then lowest final round by an eventual champion.
"I told my caddie we had to go for it," said Ford. "They don't remember you if you finish second here."
He ended his Masters career with 49 total appearances, which also included a tie for second in 1958.
