Scott Hoch

Born:  November 24, 1955

Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina

Height: 5 ft 11 in

Turned Pro: 1979

 
It’s a shame Scott Hoch is remembered more for missing a two-foot putt to win the 1989 Masters instead of his career body of work – 11 PGA titles, the 1986 Vardon Trophy, six top-tens in the U.S. Open and two appearances on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.  In addition, Hoch made more than $20 million during his time on the PGA and Champions Tour. 
 
Hoch was born in North Carolina and played collegiate golf at Wake Forest University.  Hoch turned pro after graduating in 1979. 
 
He secured his first PGA win in 1980 at the Quad Cities Open, edging two-time U.S. Open Champion Curtis Strange by three shots.  Hoch won again in 1982 and 1984. 
 
Hoch entered the final round of the 1989 Masters one shot behind Ben Crenshaw.  Hoch found himself one shot clear of the field on the 17th tee.  He made bogey at 17 and missed a birdie putt on 18.  He ended regulation play tied with Nick Faldo, who was still seeking his first career Major title at the time.
 
On the first hole of sudden death, Hoch faced a two-foot putt on Augusta National’s 10th green to win the Green Jacket.  The putt slid by, left of the cup.  Faldo won the title on the next hole.
 
While sports writers predicted that Hoch would never from his loss at Augusta, the facts suggest otherwise.  Hoch won three times before his miss at the 1989 Masters, but he won eight times after it.  In fact, Hoch won three weeks later at the Las Vegas Invitational.  Hoch won four more times in the mid-1990’s.  His final win, at age 47, was at Doral, one of the tour’s premier stops where he defeated Jim Furyk in a playoff. 
 
After turning 50, Hoch won three times in his first two seasons on the Champions Tour.