Larry Mize

Obviously though, the ball went in, there was pandemonium and you danced around the green in jubilation. It was a touch of class from you in that moment though to gather yourself to hush the crowd to allow Greg to play.

I was pretty excited as you could see. [Laughing]. You know, it’s a gentleman’s game and we’re all trying to carry on that part of the game throughout. Greg deserved to have a calm time to play his shot.

You’ve probably been asked to replicate that shot many times, even though that green is a little different now ...

It is a little different and you know I have never been back to that spot or tried that shot again. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I think there’s no reason to ever do it again, I see it as a lose-lose situation. One of the magazines wanted me to go back and do it again and I said no. So now, every time I see it replayed again it’s still a pure memory. People ask where the spot [I played from] was and I say ‘It’s over there somewhere’. I’m not exactly sure where it is, especially now that they’ve re-done the green. So I’ve never played that shot again and don’t plan on playing it unless I hit it there in the tournament.

Not only are you actually from Augusta but you also worked as a scoreboard attendant on the third hole in your teens. To win the tournament in such dramatic fashion, and be presented with the green jacket by the greatest of all time: could the reality of what happened actually exceed what you'd dreamt about your whole life?

I couldn’t have scripted it any better. I beat two great players and I got the jacket from the greatest player of all time. Getting the jacket from Jack was just the cherry on top of the sundae, it just couldn’t have been any better for me.

How is your relationship with Greg? It was obvious a tough situation for him.

We have a good relationship, he handled it great. I remember we went to Hilton Head the next week and we were in the locker room together and I said to him, 'I thought you handled it great last week, like always’. He said his thanks and some other nice things to me, which I appreciated. We get along great. I like Greg and as far as I know, he likes me. It’s nothing personal, it’s just golf. We’re all there trying to beat each other and that’s just the way the game is. I’m sure he hated it and if the roles were reversed, I would have hated it too.

Which players are you liking for this year’s Masters?

It’s hard to believe an Australian hasn’t won it but someone asked me this earlier and a name still keeps coming to me, even though he’s not as much of a favourite as he was before. I’m going to put Ernie Els’ name out there. If he can get that flat stick working, I think he can still be a force. Ernie is a great guy and I’d like to see him play well. Of course, Phil [Mickelson] is playing really well right now, Bill Haas is playing really well and with Luke Donald, it’s just a matter of time [for him to win a major] the way he plays. If Rory [McIlroy] putts like he did at the US Open last year, he has the game to win there, no doubt.

Having won a Major, played Ryder Cup, won multiple times on tour, won in Japan and enjoyed a 10-shot victory against a major-quality field in the Johnny Walker World Championship in Jamaica in 1993, do you ever feel you’re often only associated with that chip shot and victory as opposed to a broader recognition of a fine career?

I don’t really give it much thought. As far as my career goes, there are a lot worse ways to be remembered than for the chip-in at Augusta. I guess with it happening at such a tremendous tournament with a worldwide effect, I can see how that could happen but its fine with me. I’m proud of my career but I guess I accept the fact that I’ll mostly be remembered for the chip-in and win at Augusta.

Finally, as you play The Masters every year, do you sneak a peek at that scoreboard you worked at on the third hole every time you pass it?

You know, I do! I do look at it with fond memories because I worked there for two years as a teenager and had a great time doing it. When I walk past, it’s a special spot for me, no question. There’s a ladder on the back and we’d open up the windows where the numbers go to peek out, even though they didn’t want us to do that in the tournament. I look back at that and shake my head that’s it’s been 25 years since I won. My son, who was one week short of his first birthday when I won at Augusta, is getting married in March, so 'well be having our first wedding. My wife and I will probably shed a few tears that night but he’s marrying a great girl and we’re all really excited.