April 4, 1937 – At what was just the 4th Masters Golf Tournament, or officially known as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, history was made. Legendary linkster Byron Nelson won the first of his five major titles. The final scoreboard on Augusta number 18 listed Nelson as a winner by 2 strokes over Ralph Guldahl.
Byron Nelson, a former Texas railroad worker had to scrap his way back into this win for one of the largest purses in golf history at the time. You see Guldahl had a four-stroke lead at one point during the final round. Ralph G. though seemed to crack under the pressure as he shot a morbid 76 while the winner Nelson stayed cool as a cucumber in the hot Atlanta sun, turning in an 18 hole 70 on his scorecard.
Nelson, who had to compete with the likes of Sam Snead and Ben Hogan, as they all were within seven months of age. is most remembered for having won 11 consecutive and 18 total tournaments in 1945.
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