Best Moments in Masters History

We’re going to look back at some of the best moments in Masters history. The Masters is one of the most legendary golf tournaments in the world and is one of the four Majors on the PGA schedule. The Masters dates back to 1934 and is played at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia with the winner getting a signature green jacket. It is the first golf Major of the season and takes place in April of every year.

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There are plenty of stories connected to the event ranging from fantastic finishes, clutch shots, blooming flowers, and even tales of the venue’s classic pimento cheese sandwiches. Here are several of the best moments in Masters history for your enjoyment.

The Masters Begins in 1934

You have to have a starting point for the best moments in Masters history. The Masters was started in 1934 and it’s the best way to kick off a list of the best moments in Masters history. Augusta National was founded by legendary golfer Bobby Jones in 1932 along with Clifford Roberts. The course was designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie.

Two years later, the first Augusta National Invitational Tournament was held. It was nicknamed the “Masters” by many and the name stuck. The tournament marked the return of Jones from retirement and the event was won by Horton Smith. It was Smith’s first of two Masters wins.

Gene Sarazen – The Shot

The Masters is a tournament rich in storytelling lore. One of those historic tales is about Gen Sarazen when he was three shots behind Craig Wood and considering his club selection on the 15th during the 1935 contest.

Sarazen was taking too much time for Walter Hagen’s liking as Hagen screamed from a distance for him to “Hurry up, will ya! I’ve got a date tonight!” Sarazen quickly grabbed a 4-wood from his bag, walked up to the ball, and swung. The shot cleared the remainder of the fairway, zeroed into the green, and bounced into the cup for a rare Albatross.

This is one of the best moments in Masters history that not a lot of people know about.

Best Moments in Masters History – Ben Hogan 1951

Ben Hogan is a legend in the world of sports and professional golf. The famed player and his wife were almost killed in a head-on collision in 1949 following a playoff loss at the Phoenix Open. Hogan threw himself in front of his wife just before a bus collided with the front of their car.

The steering column punctured Hogan’s seat but he survived with pelvis, back, foot, and rib injuries to name a few. After a long rehabilitation, Hogan returned to the game and his winning ways. His 1951 victory at the Masters was his fifth of nine Majors. It was one of the best moments in Masters history.

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Overwhelmed Ben Crenshaw

Ben Crenshaw entered the 1995 Masters on a down note. A week before the tournament began Crenshaw lost his good friend and mentor Harvey Penick. Both players were from Texas and had a long history of working together. Penick is a legend when it comes to coaching, especially at Texas, and is said to have given Crenshaw a final lesson before passing.

Crenshaw served as a pallbearer before starting the first round at Augusta. After sealing his second win at Augusta, Crenshaw fell to both knees in tears. He was comforted by legendary Augusta caddie, friend, and businessman Carl Jackson.

This is one of the best moments in Masters history.

Lee Elder Breaks the Barrier

Lee Elder was one of the first black players to make regular appearances on the PGA Tour. He captured his first PGA win in 1974 at the Monsanto Pensacola Open in a playoff over Peter Oosterhuis. The victory instantly qualified Elder for entry into the 1975 Masters. Despite multiple death threats, Elder played the first two rounds, but missed the cut after posting rounds of 74 and 78.

Elder later commented about the number of black people who made it out to watch him play for two days. “I couldn’t begin to guess how many there were, but it was far more than I’d seen at a golf tournament before.” He would later join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter for the 2021 tournament. This is one of the best moments in Masters history.

Shota Hayafuji – The Bow of 2021

Hideki Matsuyama won the 2021 Masters and became the first player from Japan to win a Major. As everyone seemed focused on Matsuyama taking in the win and getting congratulations from fellow players and fans, an alert cameraman noticed something special.

Shota Hayafuji, Matsuyama’s caddie, had walked back to the winning hole and started to remove the flag from the flagstick. This is not an uncommon thing. However, Hayafuji then removed his hat and slowly bowed toward the direction of the course as a sign of respect, which is one of the best moments in Masters history.

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Jack Gets His Fifth Green Jacket – 1975

Jack Nicklaus was outside of 40 feet and trying to catch Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller in the 1975 Masters. The two watched from the tee as Nicklaus was on the green sizing up his long putt. Once he settled in, the player known as the Golden Bear pulled his putter back and let the stroke go.

The ball rolled across the 16th green and steadily zeroed in on the hole as fans began to realize that the long putt had a chance. As the ball dropped into the hole the gallery exploded and Nicklaus leaped into the air with his putter in the air. He held Weiskopf and Miller off by one stroke to earn his fifth Masters win.

Tiger Gets His First – 1997

Tiger Woods is known for winning his first Masters in 1997, but the backstory is what makes this one of the best moments in Masters history. One year before, Woods had played in the Masters as an amateur with a strong field, including Nick Faldo, who went on to win the 1996 event.

Woods was not so lucky as he failed to make the cut after posting two rounds of 75. It must have left a bad taste in his mouth as Woods returned as a pro in 1997 and entered the final round on Sunday with an 8-stroke lead. Woods won the 1997 Masters, which was his first of five victories at Augusta.

Tigers is featured twice on our list of the best moments in Masters history.

Tiger Returns in 2019

Tiger Woods suffered through several back injuries and surgeries entering into the opening round of the 2019 Masters. He was not a player that was at the top of the odds list or among the favorites according to golf pundits.

Things started slowly for Woods as he carded a 70 in the opening round, which was several strokes off the lead. He rebounded nicely on day two to post a 68 on Friday, which was more than good enough to make the weekend. Woods went on to score a 67 on Sunday en route to a -13 win on the final day of play for his fifth Masters title.

That wraps up our list of the best moments in Masters history.

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