It is a rite of spring—friends and family sitting around their television (or now their computers) taking in as much of the drama at The Masters as is possible. The tournament first took place in 1934 when golf legend Bobby Jones and club co-founder Clifford Roberts dreamed up an invitational event that would also bring attention to their nascent club. Now 90 years later, it is without question the most watched and discussed tournament in golf each year.
Here are some of the most notable Masters moments. But let’s be honest—everyone has their own special moment they vividly recall from a tournament at Augusta over the past decades.
Tiger Woods in 1997 and 2019
Okay, so we’re cheating here. This is actually two Masters moments, but let’s be honest—Tiger could fill this out on his own. In 1997, the world had the opportunity to witness Woods’ genius firsthand as he ran away with the first Masters he played after turning professional. The “Hello world” commercial had already generated a lot of attention among golf fans, but the whole globe watched as Woods ran away from the field by 12 shots. More than 20 years later, there was a lot of scar tissue—both figuratively and literally—as Woods came to Augusta. Despite all the challenges, he managed to hold off Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka by one shot. Likely his last major championship, the win was one for the ages.
Mike Weir Wins
Okay, if you’re not Canadian, Mike Weir’s win is likely little more than a footnote. In fact, some have called him one of the unlikeliest winners in the tournament’s history. But the truth was, in 2003 Weir, who hails from Brights Grove, Ont., was a big game player who had won some of the most notable tournaments in the world. He had an otherworldly short game—and still does—and used it to become the first left-handed golfer to win at Augusta. An entire nation roared in support of its native sun. “O Canada” indeed.
Jack Nicklaus’ Victory In 1986
"I kept thinking all week… I'm not done."
Far from it, Jack Nicklaus won the 1986 Masters, more than two decades after donning his first Green Jacket. #MastersRewind pic.twitter.com/pU5OFDQNL7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2020
No one expected much of Jack Nicklaus when he came to the Masters in 1986. Nicklaus was 46, and on the downside of a remarkable career. Still, The Golden Bear had won the tournament five times, and many forget he’d finished in a tie for 6th in 1985. But Nicklaus came to the Masters in the midst of a miserable year, having missed the cut or withdrawn from half of the tournaments he’d played in that year. Heading into the final round, there were five players in the mix, including Greg Norman, who never managed to seal the deal at Augusta. Nicklaus’ shot on 16, which rolled up to three feet and led announcer Verne Lundquist to exclaim, “Yes, sir!” helped Jack shoot 30 on the back and win his last major.
Gene Sarazen And The “Shot Heard Round The World”
In 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression, The Masters and Augusta National were struggling. The club’s founders, Jones and Roberts, were not attracting the members they expected. The hope was the tournament would generate more interest, and the return of Jones to golf would bring crowds and perspective members. Instead, it was a shot by legend Gene Sarazen into the 15th hole that brought the headlines. Three strokes off the lead, Sarazen pulled his 4-wood and went for the green, which was far harder at the time than it is now when players often hit mid-irons into the putting surface. The result was a double-eagle for Sarazen, who would bettered leader Craig Wood in a playoff.