[4] Sam Snead shot consecutive rounds of 67 on the weekend to win by three strokes over runners-up Johnny Bulla and Lloyd Mangrum.

Previous champions of both the Masters and PGA Championship, won in different calendar years, were Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, and Henry Picard.

Defending tour player of the year Ben Hogan did not play in the majors in 1949,[7] due to a near-fatal automobile collision in west Texas in early February.

Founder and host Bobby Jones (1902–1971) played in his last Masters the year before; diagnosed with syringomyelia and recovering from spinal surgery, this was his first as a spectator.

[7] Jimmy Demaret (9,10,12), Claude Harmon (9,12), Herman Keiser (9,10), Byron Nelson (2,6,9), Henry Picard (6), Gene Sarazen (2,4,6,9), Horton Smith, Craig Wood (2) Billy Burke, Johnny Farrell, Lawson Little (3,5), Lloyd Mangrum (9,10), Lew Worsham (10) Dick Chapman (a), Skee Riegel (9,a) Denny Shute (6), Sam Snead (6,9,10,12) Frank Stranahan (8,9,11,a), Robert Sweeny Jr. (a) Jim Ferrier (9), Vic Ghezzi (9,10), Bob Hamilton (9), Johnny Revolta Art Bell, Johnny Bulla (10,12), Ed Dudley (17), Ed Furgol, Fred Haas, Chick Harbert (12), Dutch Harrison, Dick Metz, Cary Middlecoff (10), Al Smith (10), Harry Todd Skip Alexander, Herman Barron, Leland Gibson, Otto Greiner, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Jug McSpaden, Toney Penna, George Schneiter, Herschel Spears, Jim Turnesa, Ellsworth Vines Charles Coe (a), Gene Dahlbender (a), Jimmy McGonagill (a) George Fazio, Mike Turnesa Johnny Dawson (a) Johnny Palmer Pete Cooper, Clayton Heafner Fred Moseley (a) John de Bendern (5,a), Tony Holguin, Bobby Locke (9,10) Thursday, April 7, 1949 Source:[13] Friday, April 8, 1949 Source:[14] Saturday, April 9, 1949 Source:[15] Sunday, April 10, 1949 Sources:[16][17] Cumulative tournament scores, relative to par