April 12 in sports history: 'Eighth Wonder' in Houston and a Masters 'miracle'

1987: Greg Norman couldn't believe his eyes.

"He might stand there for three days and never make it again," the Australian said after Larry Mize's 140-foot chip-in for birdie on the second playoff hole crushed his hopes to win the Masters.

A "miracle shot," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called it. 

"One of the great golf shots of all time," Jack Nicklaus said.

"Ridiculously perfect," sports writer Tom Boswell said.

The victory for Mize, who grew up in Augusta, Georgia, was the first and only major championship of his career.

"I was trying to get it close and hope I made it," said Mize. "It looked good all the way."

After the ball dropped into the hole, Norman never changed expression.

MORE MASTERS

1953, 1964, 1992, 2015: Much more Masters magic was produced on this date.

In 1953, Ben Hogan — the "fabulous golfing machine from Fort Worth, Texas" —  shattered the Masters scoring record by five strokes, beating runner-up Ed Oliver by five strokes.

Wrote Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Furman Bisher: "The rest of the Masters chased the mechanical man around the Augusta National golf course Sunday. But like at the dog track, there was never much doubt about the race. The greyhounds never catch the rabbit; the pros never catch Ben Hogan."

In 1964, Arnold Palmer became the first four-time Masters champ with a six-shot win over Dave Marr and defending champion Jack Nicklaus. It was the seventh and final major victory for Palmer, who many thought was past his prime.

Palmer was followed about Augusta National by his huge "Army," fans from around the world.

"I love them," said Palmer. "It's a thrill to see people so interested in golf, and they must like it or they wouldn't trample around here like they do."

In 1992, Fred Couples won his only major title, a two-stroke victory over 1976 champion Raymond Floyd. "Those who wondered if Fred Couples was the real deal or just another impostor with a sweet swing and half a heart received their answer Sunday at Augusta National," wrote Tom McCollister of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

And in 2015, Jordan Spieth led wire-to-wire to win his first major title, by four strokes over Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose. Afterward, Spieth spoke of Ellie, his 14-year-old sister and "inspiration." She was born with a neurological disorder on the autism spectrum.

"When I speak to her," the champion said, according to the Journal-Constitution, "she's probably going to tell me to bring a present home for her."

ALSO

1946: Louise Suggs won the Titleholders Championship, which later became a major tourmanent on the women's tour. Suggs was a co-founder of the LPGA in 1950.

1954: In Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Minneapolis Lakers beat the injury-depleted Syracuse Nationals for their sixth title in seven seasons. "We'd have run 'em off the court  if we hadn't been hurt," Syracuse guard George King told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune as he removed a bandage from his cast-covered arm.

1980: Pressured by President Jimmy Carter, the U.S. Olympic Committee endorsed a boycott of the Moscow Olympics because of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. "Our patriotism and support of the United States had to be preserved," USOC president Robert Kane said. The United States was one of 66 nations that boycotted the Summer Games, the first held in Eastern Europe.

Happy birthday ...

• Unrestricted free agent receiver-returner Ted Ginn Jr., who last played for the Saints (35).
• WNBA star Alyssa Thomas, who is the University of Maryland's all-time scoring and rebound leader (28).

R.I.P.

Joe Louis, perhaps the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, died of a heart attack. He was 66. The "Brown Bomber" was heavyweight champion from 1937-49, finishing his career in 1951 with a 66-3 record (52 knockouts). "Joe was a boxing genius ... the kind that comes, at most, once in a generation," said German Max Schmeling, the first to boxer to defeat Louis. "He was the greatest opponent I ever faced in the ring."

April 11: Babe Ruth could pitch too