Illini legends, lists and lore: Illini at the Masters

On this Masters tournament Sunday, former Fighting Illini golfers Steve Stricker and Thomas Pieters will be competing for the famed green jacket. After Saturday’s round, Pieters was tied for ninth place at 1-under 215, 5 strokes behind the leaders, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia. Stricker was tied for 28th place with a 54-hole total of 4-over 220.

In the 84-year history of the Masters, former UI athletes have placed in the top 10 three times, including a championship effort by Bob Goalby. A review of Illinois’ best three Masters performances:

BOB GOALBY (winner, 1968) — Former 1950s Illini football player Goalby wisely turned to the sport of golf in 1952 and became the only University of…