Insider: The Palmer plaque, Al Geiberger and the highs and lows of the cut

The four-time Masters Tournament champion was honored in 1995 with a bronze plaque affixed to a drinking fountain behind the 16th tee.

Palmer was the tournament’s first four-time winner and competed in 50 consecutive Masters from 1955 to 2004. He now serves as an honorary starter.

The plaque recounts Palmer’s charges to victory at Aug­usta and reads in part: “Arnold Palmer had changed the game of golf with those heroic charges and appreciative legions of fans formed around him. They were called ‘Arnie’s Army.’ ”

Al Geiberger competed in 17 Masters between 1962 and 1980, but his best finish came in 1972, when he tied for 12th.

Geiberger, 74, is best known for winning the 1966 PGA Championship and for being the first player to shoot 59 in a PGA Tour event. He won 11 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1977 Danny Thomas Memphis Classic, where he shot 59.

His son Brent played in the 2000 Masters. There have been 11 father-son combinations who have played in the Masters. As a past PGA winner, Geiberger is eligible to attend the Masters, play during the practice rounds and take part in the Par-3 Contest.

Q: What are you up to this week?

A: My last year I played here was 1980, and then I came for Spalding a few years. I hadn’t been back since until last year. I enjoyed it so much last year that I brought my (son Bryan). It’s been fun showing him around.

Q: Do you still get recognized for the 59?

A: Yes, more so than winning the PGA. The 59 is so unique. People say, ‘Hey, Mr. 59,’ when you are in the grocery store. It’s my tag name. We’ve had a lot of fun with it.

Q: What was it like when you shot 59?

A: It was 102 and high humidity. I was miserable out there. You’re in survival mode, not nervous-shoot-a-low number mode. When they say watch out for an ailing golfer, that’s what they mean. I think 102 and high humidity qualifies.

Q: What about your record at the Masters?

A: You didn’t find much, did you? I never played well here. I was always nervous teeing off, always shot myself in the foot the first day with a 77 or 78, then I’d work my way back and make the cut. I was a fader of the ball, like (Lee) Trevino used to talk about. I think I’m a better putter today than I was then.

The Masters instituted the 36-hole cut in 1957. The low 44 and ties and those within 10 shots of the lead qualify for the final 36 holes.

The highest cut score, 154, came in 1982. The low score of 145 has occurred six times, including last year.

Gary Player holds the record for most consecutive cuts made at Augusta National with 23. Tiger Woods with 15 (1997 to present) and Phil Mickelson with 14 (1998 to present) have the longest active made cut streaks.