Dufner has much in common with 1973 Masters winner
Of all the names on the leaderboard in the second round of the Masters, the one that has the least sizzle is that of Jason Dufner. The 35-year-old has yet to win a PGA Tour event, but don’t discount his chances. A player like him won the Masters 39 years ago.
Tommy Aaron was a 36-year-old journeyman when he captured the Masters in 1973. He had won two PGA Tour events. While Dufner has yet to win, he has been in two playoffs, including last August in the PGA against Keegan Bradley. The year before he won the Masters, Aaron also was runner-up in the PGA.
With a 68 at the 1973 Masters, Aaron passed third-round leader Peter Oosterhuis of England (who is now a CBS announcer), beat J.C. Snead by a stroke and held off Jack Nicklaus, who fired a final-round 66 to finish two back.
Dufner (Auburn) and Aaron (Florida) were products of SEC schools. Aaron remained a strong player for two more decades, making the cut at the Masters four of the first six years after turning 50.
