This week – specifically April 10 to April 13 -- I won’t be thinking about where I will be playing golf. I will be watching golf -- the Masters, the first Major of the year. I love playing golf, but when it comes to the four Majors – Masters, PGA, U.S. Open and the Open Championship – I find myself glued to the TV. When I ask myself why, I think of this Tiger Woods quote: “You can win all the tournaments you want but the majors are what you're remembered for.”
Bottom line: All of the players in all of the Majors are giving it their best and you can see that in their faces. The intensity is real, which is why I consider the Majors to be Must-See TV. Below is a list of fun and interesting facts about the Masters and a few quotes that should give you some historical perspective on the year’s first Major.
Bobby Jones’s career: Born1902. Died 1971. He won 13 Majors, including the Grand Slam in 1930. At that time the four Majors were: The British Amateur, The Open Championship, U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. In fact, the case has often been made that he is the “greatest golfer of time.” As his World Golf Hall of Fame bio says, “Beginning with his victory in the 1923 U.S. Open at Inwood and ending with his U.S. Amateur victory at Merion in 1930, Jones won 13 championships in 20 tries, the most imposing run of major titles the game has ever seen.”
Augusta National’s golf course was built in two years, from 1931 to 1933. The course was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie in collaboration with Bobby Jones. The land was originally a plant nursery. Unfortunately, MacKenzie passed away in January 1934, just a few months before Augusta National hosted its first tournament. From 1934 to 1938, the tournament was called the "Augusta National Invitational."
First Winner: In 1934, Horton Smith won by shooting -4, 284. He also won in 1936.
Youngest Winner: Tiger Woods became the youngest champion at age 21 in 1997. He also won in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019.
Oldest Winner: Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the oldest winner, claiming victory at age 46 in 1986.
Most Wins: Jack Nicklaus also has the most Masters titles with six -- 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986.
Most Top 5 Finishes in The Masters: 15 — Jack Nicklaus; 12 — Phil Mickelson; 12 — Tiger Woods; 9 — Ben Hogan; 9 — Tom Kite; 9 — Arnold Palmer; 9 — Sam Snead; — 9 Tom Watson.
Lowest Winning Score: 268 (-20), Dustin Johnson (2020). Im Sung-jae and Cameron Smith finished -15, 273 and Justin Thomas was -12, 276.
Largest Winning Margin: 12 strokes by Tiger Woods in 1997 with a winning score of -18, 270. The next three finishers were: Tom Kite, -6, 282; Tommy Toles, -5, 283; Tom Watson -4, 284.
Green Jacket Tradition: The iconic green jacket was first awarded to the winner in 1949, with Sam Snead as the first recipient.
Magnolia Lane: The entrance to Augusta National is lined with 61 magnolias on each side of the road. The trees were planted in the late 1850s.
Course Changes Over The Years: Lengths of the course: 2025: 7,555 yds.; 2022: 7,510 yds.; 2020: 7,475 yds.; 2010: 7,435 yds.; 2000: 6,985 yds.; 1990: 6,905 yds.; 1980: 7,040 yds.; 1970: 6,980 yds.; 1960: 6,980 yds.;1950: 6,900 yds.; 1940: 6,800 yds.
Green Surfaces: Transitioned from Bermuda grass to Bentgrass in 1981, resulting in faster putting surfaces.
Fairway Bunkers: Over the years, bunkers have been relocated and added to adapt to modern driving distances, notably on holes 11, 15, and 17 during "Tiger-proofing" efforts.
Par-3 Contest Curse: No player has ever won both the Par-3 contest and the Masters in the same year. Last year, Rickie Fowler won the 9-hole par-3 event, shooting a 5-under 22.
They Said It:
Bobby Jones on the Augusta National course: "I wanted to create a golf course that would be a supreme test of golf, but also one that would be a joy to play and a beauty to behold."
Said after losing the 1968 Master because he mistakenly signed an incorrect scorecard in the 1968 Masters: “Only in America can I sign a wrong card and become a national hero. In my country, they would run me out of town for doing such a stupid thing. – Argentinian Roberto DeVicenzo (1923 – 2017) won 229 professional tournaments worldwide, including the 1967 Open Championship and seven PGA events. (Note: De Vicenzo signed his card with the score of 66 instead of the 65 that he actually shot. Bob Goalby ended up with the trophy, posting a -11, 277 to DeVicenzo’s -10, 278.)
“The thing about winning at Augusta is that people always remember. They might not remember the year, but they always remember your name, that you’re a Masters champion. And that’s an indescribable feeling.” – Charles Coody (Born 1937) won three PGA tournaments, BUT one was the 1971 Masters.
On Augusta National and the Masters: “You can lick this course with your normal game – if you ever calm down enough to play your normal game.” – Frank Beard (Born 1939), who had 11 PGA Tour wins and was the Tour’s leading money winner in 1969, but he never won a Major. He played in 12 consecutive Masters from 1965 to 1975 with his 5th-place finish in 1968 being his best.
Describing the greens at the 1994 Masters: “I am not saying the greens are fast, but it’s like they have been bikini-waxed.” – Golf professional and TV commentator Gary McCord (Born 1948). This comment on the Augusta greens upset the Masters hierarchy, which resulted in McCord being banned from the CBS broadcasting team.
“I'm disappointed, but I'm not going to run around like Dennis Rodman and head-butt somebody.” Two-time Open Championship winner Greg Norman (Born 1955). Said after losing his 6-stroke lead to Nick Faldo in the final round of the 1986 Masters. He finished 2nd or Tied for 2nd in seven Majors -- 1986, 1987 & 1996 Masters; 1984 & 1995 U.S. Open and 1986 & 1993 PGA.
On the Masters: Don’t misunderstand me. This is the best course we play and best conditioned. There is no parallel to how well everything is run. Augusta has no jerks in the crowd; there’s a collective happiness to the place. It can be hard to appreciate in the moment, but I do get small windows to look around and realize, Oh yeah, I’m at the Masters. – Golf Digest’s Undercover Caddie (From the March/April 2022 issue.)
Watch Away!
Allan Stark
Photo credits:
Augusta National clubhouse: Boston Public Library; File name: 06_10_013954. Physical description: 1 print (postcard). Collection: The Tichnor Brothers Collection. Rights: No known restrictions.
Bobby Jones: 1925 U.S. Amateur Trophy. United States Golf Association (USGA Archives), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Jack Nicklaus: ProShooter on DepositPhotos.
Gary McCord: Found on WikiCommons. https://www.flickr.com/photos/keithallison/2925161821.
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