What to know about golf’s premier tournament

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Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 victory at the Masters is perhaps the most celebrated moment in the tournament’s history. His dramatic comeback, punctuated by Verne Lundquist’s famous “Yes, Sirrrrr!” call after his birdie on 17, created an unforgettable scene at Augusta[12]. At 46, Nicklaus became the oldest Masters champion, shooting a remarkable final-round 65 with a back-nine 30.

Now, golf stars like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy return to Augusta, Ga., looking to make history of their own, as the sport’s most prestigious event returns Thursday.

It’s April, so it’s a good time for a look back at the fabled history of the Masters[5].

Making history at Augusta

Gene Sarazen’s “Shot Heard ’Round the World” in 1935 remains one of golf’s most miraculous moments. Trailing by three shots, Sarazen holed a 235-yard 4-wood for a double eagle on the par-5 15th, forcing a playoff that he would win[6].

In more recent memory, Tiger Woods has authored several historic moments. His 1997 victory was revolutionary as he won by a record 12 strokes at age 21, becoming the youngest champion while setting a tournament scoring record at 18-under-par[7]. His 2019 triumph represented one of sports’ greatest comebacks, winning his fifth green jacket and 15th major just two years after contemplating retirement due to back injuries[8].

Phil Mickelson’s first major championship at the 2004 Masters was emotionally charged, as he birdied five of his last seven holes, including a dramatic 20-foot putt on the 18th to defeat Ernie Els[9].

Larry Mize’s playoff win in 1987

The 1987 sudden-death playoff between Larry Mize and Greg Norman unfolded as one of golf’s most dramatic moments—a classic David versus Goliath tale on Augusta National’s hallowed grounds[10].

After finishing regulation tied at 3-under-par 285 alongside the legendary Seve Ballesteros, the stage was set for an epic showdown. Mize had earned his playoff spot with a clutch performance on the 72nd hole, striking a precision nine-iron to six feet and sinking the crucial birdie putt. Norman, meanwhile, had watched his championship-winning 20-foot birdie attempt on the final hole slide agonizingly past the cup.

The odds heavily favored the established champions. Norman stood atop the world rankings while Ballesteros held the third position; Mize languished at 36th. The contrast in pedigree was stark — Norman and Ballesteros had amassed 91 worldwide victories between them, while Mize claimed just a single triumph.

When Ballesteros faltered with a missed five-footer on the first playoff hole, the contest narrowed to Norman and Mize. On the par-4 11th, both found the fairway safely, but Mize’s approach shot sailed wide right, leaving him stranded 140 feet from the pin. Norman, sensing advantage, played cautiously to the right fringe, just 50 feet from glory.

Then came the moment that would echo through Masters history.

Selecting his 56-degree wedge for a bump-and-run, Mize executed perfectly — the ball bounced twice in the fringe, once on the green, then rolled unerringly toward the hole before disappearing into the cup. The improbable birdie sent Mize dancing across the green in his purple shirt, a jubilant celebration that forced Norman to endure what he later called “the hardest 45 seconds of my life” before attempting his own putt.

When Norman’s birdie attempt failed to drop, Augusta native Mize became the first hometown champion in Masters history, authoring one of golf’s most miraculous finishes while adding another painful chapter to Norman’s star-crossed major championship career.

The legend begins

The tournament was founded in 1934 by amateur golf champion Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts. It is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, which Jones and Roberts established on a former plant nursery[12][13].

The tournament’s prestige stems from several factors, including: it’s one of the four major championships in professional golf; it’s the only major played at the same course every year; winners receive a lifetime invitation to compete in future Masters tournaments; the tournament attracts the world’s best golfers and has been the stage for many historic moments in golf.

Sources

[1] https://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2021-04-05/jack_nicklaus_1986_masters_victory.html

[2] https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2020-masters-yes-sir-verne-lundquist-recalls-iconic-call-of-jack-nicklaus-birdie-at-1986-masters/

[3] https://www.pgatour.com/news/2023/04/09/scottie-scheffler-wins-masters-tournament-2023-augusta-national

[4] https://www.golfchannel.com/news/rory-mcilroys-masters-quest-career-slam-reaches-decade-mark

[5] https://www.masters.com/en_US/history/index.html

[6] https://www.augusta.com/masters/history/memorable-moments/gene-sarazens-double-eagle

[7] https://www.pgatour.com/news/2022/04/05/tiger-woods-1997-masters-victory-changed-golf-forever

[8] https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2019-masters-tiger-woods-wins-fifth-green-jacket-first-major-since-2008-in-career-defining-comeback/

[9] https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2024-phil-mickelson-first-major-20th-anniversary

[10] https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/29019316/masters-moments-larry-mize-stuns-greg-norman-1987

[11] https://www.golf.com/tour-news/2013/04/14/adam-scott-wins-2013-masters-first-australian-don-green-jacket

[12] https://www.augusta.com/masters/augusta-national-golf-club

[13] “The Making of the Masters: Clifford Roberts, Augusta National, and Golf’s Most Prestigious Tournament” by David Owen

[14] Jon Rahm’s Masters Victory - https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jon-rahm-wins-2023-masters

[15] https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/39684357/liv-golf-masters-2024-players-eligible-augusta-national