The Masters: Recalling Amazing Stories, Records, and Traditions Like No Other

On April 6, 2023, the eyes of anyone who has ever swung a golf club will be riveted on Augusta, GA, to witness The Masters. The greatest names in golf will gather to compete for the game’s most coveted prize: the green jacket.

Last year, 10 million television viewers watched as Scottie Scheffler earned his first Masters victory. The winner’s purse of $2.7 million seems secondary to the legacy of gaining entrance into golf’s most inner sanctum, the right to say you’ll sit at Augusta’s annual Champions Dinner.

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The Masters’ field is by invite only, so one of the pro tour’s smallest fields will compete on Augusta National’s undulating 7,500-yard layout. With a history dating back to 1934, let’s take a look at the most amazing Masters stories, players, and records that have gripped our attention, and our hearts, for nearly a century.

Lefty’s Got It Right

If someone were to question who has the best all-time scoring average at The Masters, how would you reply? The easy guess is Jack Nicklaus, who donned six green jackets over a 23-year span. In recent memory, you may say Tiger Woods, a winner five times.

Phil Mickelson is the correct answer! Lefty has tamed Augusta’s par 72 to the tune of an average score of 71.32 over 106 rounds. Not surprising, second place goes to Nicklaus’s average score of 71.98.

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Shortest and Longest Driver

The bombers often trample many of pro golf’s championship courses. That’s not always the case at Augusta, where finesse can triumph over testosterone. 

In 1999, Jose Maria Olazabal was honored at Butler Cabin as the Masters Champion. The Spaniard, with the razor-sharp short game, averaged only 239 yards off the tee. By comparison, Tiger earns the title as the longest Masters champ with a 1997 drive average of 323 yards.

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Amateurs Shine in the Georgia Sun

The Masters Tournament was started by Bobby Jones, an amateur champion. Each year the tourney has a tradition of inviting winners of amateur tournaments from around the world.

Here’s a trifecta of enduring amateur records that should stir your imagination. 

In 1961, Charlie Coe recorded the lowest 72-hole score (281) by an amateur. 

In 1956, amateur Ken Venturi captivated the golf world when he entered Sunday’s round with the 54-hole tournament lead. Youth prevailed in 2013 when Chinese amateur Guan Tianlang made the cut at the age of 14.

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Still Jackie After All These Years

The question is, “Who is the oldest living Masters champion?” If you guessed Jackie Burke, you’d be absolutely right.

Burke gained the green jacket with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in 1956. Born on January 29, 1923, Jackie Burke is now 100 years old.

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This Player Can Play

One of the greatest Masters finishes occurred in 1978. This was the year that South African Gary Player entered the final round a distant eight shots off the lead.

With seven birdies over the final 10 holes, Player shot a 64 to tie for the lowest final round score in Masters history. Player’s amazing finish translated into his third green jacket. 

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Kenny’s Cousin Writes the Musical Score

Everyone that has ever watched the movie Caddyshack knows that Kenny Loggins wrote the film’s theme song, “I’m Alright.” But did you know that Kenny’s cousin has musical ties to The Masters?

The instrumental song “Augusta” that opens and closes each Masters telecast was written by Kenny’s relative Dave Loggins. The song first aired in 2001 and has been a Masters television cornerstone ever since.

It’s Sudden Death – Who are You Picking?

In 1987, Larry Mize stepped into a sudden-death playoff with two future golf Hall of Famers. When Mize stepped up to his chip shot on Augusta’s 11^th hole, he was flanked by Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros.

Norman’s dynamic career would total 91 wins and two majors. Ballesteros win total capped at 92 and his major portfolio showed five victories. Against all odds, Mize chipped in to win the green jacket. Leading up to his remarkable chip shot, Mize had one career win. The Augusta-native would go on to win two more PGA victories in his career.

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Forever Young

You could, perhaps, guess the youngest Masters winner. But do you know the oldest player to make the cut?

Bernhard Langer won the Masters Tournament in 1985 at the age of 28. In 2020, Langer became the oldest player to make the cut at the Masters at the age of 63. Langer still had competitive game as evidenced by his four-round total of three under par.

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Oh yes, Tiger Woods is the youngest player to win the Masters. When Woods donned the green jacket in 1997, he was 21 years old.

Cover Image Via ESPN Press Room