Lee Elder’s Most Important Win: The ’74 Monsanto Open

The most important tournament in the career of the late Lee Elder was not the 1975 Masters.

Truth be known, it was the 1974 Monsanto Open — Elder won there and it was that victory that earned him the invite to the 1975 Masters where he became the first black golfer to play in that major championship.

The Monsanto later became the Pensacola Open but in 1974 it would gain huge importance — it was the win that secured Elder a ticket to Augusta National.

Lee came through with a four-under par round of 67 that Sunday 47 years ago.  The first three days he shot 67-69-71 and he’d finish at 10-under par, tied with Peter Oosterhuis at 10-under par 274.

The playoff went three holes before Elder ran in a birdie on the fourth extra hole to beat Oosterhuis.  And Lee gave it an arms-in-the-air, high-step celebratory move that is captured in the above photo.

Augusta National chairman Clifford Roberts made it clear that Lee would indeed be the first black man to play in the Masters.  “He’s automatically earned his invitation,” Robert said at the time.  “And he will receive an invitation to play in the Masters.  We’re very delighted he’s done so.”

Elder missed the cut in the 1975 Masters.  he earned another invite in 1977 and finished in the top 20 — tied for 19th.  He played again in 1978 and tied for 42nd.  In 1979 he finished tied for 17th at Augusta National.  He’d play two more times — 1980 and 1981 but missed the cut those two final appearances.

He’d play in 10 U.S. Opens in his career and twelve times in the PGA Championship.  He played in the Open Championship once — 1979 and tied for 36th.

Elder joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player on the first tee as an honorary starter for the 2021 Masters last April but he was on oxygen and it was evident that his health was failing.  He passed away this past Sunday at age 87.  Hopefully he’ll be remembered this coming spring at the 2022 Masters.

Tiger Woods Hall Of Fame Induction Slated For March 9:

Tiger Woods is scheduled to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame this coming March, the week of the Players Championship.  Tiger’s date is March 9 and he’ll go into the Hall along with Susie Maxwell Berning, Marion Hollins and former PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.

Saudi Invitational Showdown The First Week Of January:

At least 25 PGA Tour players, including defending champion Dustin Johnson have requested waivers from the PGA Tour to play in the 2022 Saudi Invitational.

The showdown looms the first week in January as the Tour gives those waivers 30 days before the event.  The tournament is set to be played February 3-6.