The Masters Tournament is one of the most revered and prestigious events in the world of golf, with the event being held every April at the iconic Augusta Golf Club. For more than 85 years, Augusta has served as the backdrop for some of the most historic and iconic golfing moments in history, with the world’s best golfers covering on this hallowed ground each and every year. Competing for the coveted Green Jacket, the competition is fierce, with the level of quality being amongst the highest in the sport.
Despite the competition at Augusta, certain performances have managed to transcend the sport as a whole, cementing themselves in golf folklore. We have compiled some of the greatest performances in the history of the Masters, with these moments not only defining the careers of the players involved in these feats, but also helping to shape the history of the Augusta National as a whole.
Tiger Woods 1997
Perhaps one of the most awe inspiring and dominant performances in the history of the Masters came from the legendary Tiger Woods in 1997. At just the age of 21, Woods entered as a rookie, with not even the live casinos and betting markets seeing him as a favourite. However, he quickly proved that he was no ordinary player. He would go on to claim victory in the Masters tournament by an incredible 12 shot margin, with this being the largest margin of victory in the tournament history still to this day.
This 1997 victory was a moment that actually revolutionised golf as Wood’s precision and mental toughness had never been seen in the sport before. This rookie victory marked the start of what would become one of the most legendary careers in golf, with his performances at Augusta National signalling to the world that Tiger was here to stay and would dominate the game for the decades to come.
Jack Nicklaus 1965-1966
In the 1965 edition, Nicklaus won his first Masters title by 9 strokes, a record breaking score at the time. Known for his strategic play and powerful drives, he took complete control of the tournament from the first round, never looking back following this. This marked the start of an ear where Nicklaus would dominant at the Augusta National, winning on six separate occasions over his career. That includes the 1966 tournament where he became the first ever golfer to win back to back titles at Augusta.
Phil Mickelson 2010
A player with a more aggressive style of play was Phil Micklleson, with him claiming his most memorable Masters victory in 2010. This was the short game wizards 3rd green jacket, however, this specific tournament was arguably his most special. Entering the final round trailing by a shot, it seemed Mickelson would need a miracle to secure victory. What followed however was nothing short of magical, with him playing the back nine with a masterful display of nerve and skill, something which is notoriously difficult at Augusta.
Making key birdies and hitting clutch shots, Mickelson approached the tournament with a fearless approach. In turn, Mickleson’s 2010 win was a testament to his determination, heart and ultimate golfing abilities. Made all the more emotional due to his wifes ongoing health struggles, this Augusta National win resonated deeply with fans and other golfers.
Arnold Palmer 1960
This was the golfing icon’s first Green Jacket, with his daring shorts making him a beloved figure within the golfing world. Bringing a sense of urgency and sheer excitement to the game as a whole, Palmer’s 1960 win helped propel the Masters to new heights in terms of its overall popularity.
Tiger Woods 2019
While the aforementioned 1997 victory was what asserted Tiger Woods as a dominant force in the world of golf, the 2019 Augusta National could perhaps be considered the most emotional. After a decade-long period plagued by physical injuries and other struggles of the course, Woods made a stunning return to the very top of the game, claiming his fifth Green Jacket in one of the most dramatic finishes the Masters tournament has ever seen.
Francesco Molinari led the final round by two shots, however, the composed and steady play of Tiger Woods under pressure was the factor that ultimately secured his win. In a thrilling back and forth with the Italian, Woods capitalised on a number of different mistakes from his competitor, most notably a double bogey on the 15th hole of the course. His performance in this final stage was a culmination of one of golf’s most incredible comebacks, with this seeing Woods victory come 14 years after his last Masters win.