He’s the oldest living Masters champ and he turns 100 this weekend.
Jack Burke, Jr., who is also the oldest PGA Championship winner, hits the century mark on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.
Gene Sarazen, the 1935 Masters champ, lived to be 97 and three months; Byron Nelson stretched his years to 94; Doug Ford died in 2018 at 95. Burke outlived them all, and although the 1956 Masters winner hasn’t returned to Augusta National since 2011, the accomplishment remains etched in his memories.
His Masters win came during the 20th playing of the event and the first one to be televised, although the CBS cameras were only on holes 15, 16, 17 and 18 on Friday through Sunday.
The most memorable part of his victory, though, was the he came back from eight shots down to win, still the largest comeback in Masters history.
Amateur Ken Venturi, led the tournament by four shots after 36 holes; he was up eight shots on Burke. After 54 holes, Burke was still down eight shots. He would end up winning by a shot and his 1-over final remains tied for the highest winning score at Augusta National.
Check out some photos through the years of Jackie Burke.
Jack Burke Jr. is helped by Cary Middlecoff as he puts on the traditional green jacket…Jack Burke Jr. points to his 1956 winning scores along the No. 1 fairway of the…Jack Burke at the 1962 Lucky International in San Francisco. (Photo: Associated Press)Doug Ford gets assistance from Jack Burke Jr. as he slips into the traditional green jacket…Joe Brownell accepts scorecards from Jack Burke and Frank Stranahan following their first rounds at the…Jack Burke Jr. at the 1958 National Pro-Am in Pebble Beach. (Photo: Robert H. Houston/Associated Press)Jack Burke Jr. on the 18th green at the 1958 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo:…Jack Burke Jr. gets a hug from his wife Robin after winning the 1956 Masters Tournament…Jack Burke at the 1965 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Associated Press)Jack Burke Jr. talks with Cary Middlecoff at the 1952 Kansas City Open at Milburn Country…Jack Burke Jr. holds up his first-place check of $2,000 for winning the 1952 Baton Rouge…Jack Burke, Gardner Dickinson Jr., Freddie Haas, Julius Boros and Ed Oliver at the $75,000 World…Jack Burke, Jr. after winning the 1961 Flint Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan. (Photo: Preston Stroup/Associated…Sam Snead, captain of the 1959 U.S. Ryder Cup team, with Dow Finsterwald, Art Wall, Jr.,…The 1957 U.S. Ryder Cup team in London. From left: team captain Jack Burke Jr., Tommy…Jack Burke Jr. hits from second tee in third round of the 1952 Masters Tournament at…
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