Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson were Masters' first 'Big Three'

Golf’s “Big Three” of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nick­laus and Gary Player will serve as honorary starters this week at the Masters Tournament, but fans should take a moment to pay tribute to another celebrated trio that dominated the Masters in its early years.

Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead all were born in 1912, and each made significant contributions to the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club. A century later, it is fitting to look back at their careers and Augusta wins.

BEN HOGAN

BORN: Aug. 13, 1912

DIED: July 25, 1997

PGA TOUR WINS: 64

MAJOR WINS: 9

MASTERS CONTRIBUTIONS: Started tradition of Champions Dinner, Hogan Bridge named in his honor

1951

Two years after a devastating car crash nearly took his life, Hogan came to Augusta looking to fill in a major gap on his golf résumé.

Hogan had never won in Augusta, but he was involved with several close calls. He lost a playoff to Byron Nelson in 1942, and a three-putt bogey on the final hole in 1946 cost him a shot at another playoff.

In 1951, Hogan opened with rounds of 70, 72 and 70 and trailed Skee Riegel by a shot. Hogan closed with 4-under 68 to overtake Riegel and win his first green jacket.

When Hogan returned the next year, he suggested a dinner be held for all former Masters champions. The Masters Club, or Champions Dinner as it is popularly known, was born.

1953

Hogan came into the final round of the 1952 Masters tied with Snead for the lead. But Hogan limped home with 79 and lost to Snead by seven strokes.

That loss didn’t sit well with Hogan, and it set the stage for one of golf’s greatest seasons.

Hogan started his 1953 major campaign in style at Augusta National. After an opening 70, he fired rounds of 69, 66 and 69 to easily lap the field and win by five shots over Ed Oliver.

His 274 total smashed the 72-hole record by five shots, and that record stood for 12 years. He added victories at the U.S. Open and British Open later that year. Hogan’s “Triple Crown” season of 1953 remains one of golf’s finest years.

BYRON NELSON

BORN: Feb. 4, 1912

DIED: Sept. 26, 2006

PGA TOUR WINS: 52

MAJOR WINS: 5

MASTERS CONTRIBUTIONS: Nelson Bridge named in his honor; served as host of Champions Dinner, honorary starter

1937

There’s a reason the Nelson Bridge exists at Aug­usta National.

Nelson opened with 66 in 1937, but rounds of 72 and 75 left him four shots behind Ralph Guldahl going into the final round.

Nelson became part of Masters lore thanks to his charge through Amen Corner on the final day. He made up six strokes at Nos. 12 and 13 with a birdie and eagle. Guldahl, meanwhile, played the two holes in 5-6, and Nelson cruised to his first major victory.

“Lord Byron” would go on to serve many roles at Augusta, including several years of being paired with the 54-hole leader in the final round and serving as host of the Champions Dinner.

1942

With the world at war and most big events suspended, the Masters was held for the last time before a three-year hiatus. Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan met in an 18-hole playoff.

Nelson got off to a sluggish start with a double bogey on the first hole. After a bogey at the fourth, he found himself three shots behind the steady Hogan.

Nelson cut into the lead with a birdie at the sixth while Hogan made bogey. At the par-5 eighth, Nelson laced his second shot to within six feet of the cup and rolled in the putt for eagle. After both made pars at No. 9, Nelson held a one-shot lead.

A bogey at the 10th dropped Hogan two back, then Nelson put on a brilliant display with birdies at the 11th, 12th and 13th holes. Hogan battled back with birdies at Nos. 14 and 15, but that would be as close as he would get. A bogey on the 16th sealed his fate.

A closing bogey left Nelson with 69, yet he still played the final 13 holes in 5-under fashion. Hogan played excellent golf, making five birdies, but he finished one shot back with 70.

SAM SNEAD

BORN: May 27, 1912

DIED: May 23, 2002

PGA TOUR WINS: 82

MAJOR WINS: 7

MASTERS CONTRIBUTIONS: First winner to receive green jacket, honorary starter

1949

Snead was known for his straw hat, but his first Masters win will always be linked to another piece of clothing: the first green jacket.

The Masters started awarding the iconic garment in 1949, and Snead was the first recipient.

He started slowly with scores of 73 and 75 but closed like a champion with a pair of 67s for a three-shot win over Johnny Bulla and Lloyd Mangrum.

1952

Snead bounced back after a disappointing final round in 1951 to seize the 36-hole lead. But he slipped to 77 in the third round, which left him tied with Hogan after 54 holes. Leaders weren’t paired together in those days, and Snead went out ahead of Hogan in the final round.

Snead played the front nine in 1-over fashion, but he shot 1-under on the back nine for 72. The back nine was not without adventure - he made birdies on Nos. 10, 13 and 18 and bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12.

With a stiff breeze blowing on the final day, Snead’s 72 was bettered by only three players. The average score for the field that day was 76.8. Even the normally steady Hogan struggled, shooting 79 to drop into a tie for seventh.

Snead’s 286 total was the highest in Masters history.

1954

The most memorable duel between Snead and Hogan occurred, and amateur Billy Joe Patton nearly stole the show.

Patton took the lead in the final round thanks to an ace on the sixth hole and solid play. He jockeyed with Snead and Hogan for the lead but found the water on both par-5s on the second nine. Snead and Hogan wound up tied after 72 holes at 1-over-par 289, and Patton finished one shot behind them.

In the playoff the next day, the two men played even for nine holes. Snead holed a chip for birdie on the 10th but gave back the lead with a bogey on the 12th. That set up the 13th hole, which proved to be decisive as Hogan elected to lay up on the short par-5.

Snead went for the green in two and made it, setting up an easy birdie to give him a one-shot lead when Hogan made par.

Hogan had one final shot at catching Snead when he hit his tee shot close at No. 16, but instead he three-putted to give his foe a two-shot lead. Snead played the 18th cautiously and made a bogey to win.