Each April, as the azaleas bloom and the world’s greatest golfers descend upon Augusta National, The Masters unfolds as a tournament and a timeless narrative etched into the soul of golf. From improbable comebacks to emotional victories, The Masters has delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in sports history. Let’s dive deeply into the iconic instances that shaped its who won the masters legendary status.
- Jack Nicklaus’ Miraculous Win at 46 (1986)
Perhaps the most iconic Masters moment ever: Jack Nicklaus, at 46 years old and well past his perceived prime, put on a jaw-dropping display in the final round. Wearing his signature yellow shirt, the “Golden Bear” charged through the back nine, carding a 65 and claiming his sixth green jacket. As his putt dropped on 17, Verne Lundquist uttered the now-famous line: “Yes sir!”—a call forever linked with Nicklaus’ greatness.
- Tiger Woods’ Dominance and Redemption (1997 & 2019)
In 1997, a 21-year-old Tiger Woods obliterated the field by a record 12 strokes, becoming the first African American to win The Masters. It wasn’t just a win—it was a cultural moment that shifted the sport’s landscape. Fast-forward 22 years, and in 2019, after years of injury and personal struggles, Woods completed one of the greatest comebacks in sports, winning his fifth green jacket. The image of him hugging his children mirrored his embracing his father in 1997—a full-circle moment transcending golf.
- Phil Mickelson’s Leap of Joy (2004)
Known as the “best player never to win a major” for years, Phil Mickelson finally broke through at Augusta in 2004. His birdie putt on 18 curled in, prompting his jubilant vertical leap—a celebration as unpolished as it was heartfelt. Mickelson’s win slowed the house and marked the beginning of a Hall-of-Fame run at major championships.
- Bubba Watson’s Hook Shot From the Pines (2012)
Playoff. Sudden death. Deep in the woods on the right of the 10th fairway, Bubba Watson found himself in golf’s version of a disaster. A shot of pure artistry followed—a 40-yard hook with a pitching wedge that landed on the green and secured his first Masters title. It was spontaneous, imaginative, and pure Bubba—a moment that crystallized how Augusta rewards creativity.
- Jordan Spieth’s Collapse and Redemption (2016 & 2018)
Jordan Spieth looked untouchable in 2015. But 2016, after leading most of the tournament, he famously quadruple-bogeyed the par-3 12th, seeing his lead evaporate. The dramatic and emotional meltdown reminded me of Augusta’s unforgiving nature. Yet in 2018, Spieth roared back with a final-round 64 that nearly stole the title, earning the crowd’s admiration and proving resilience is just as legendary as victory.
- Larry Mize’s Miracle Chip-In (1987)
A local Augusta native, Larry Mize, was in a playoff against Greg Norman. When Mize’s approach shot landed right off the green on the 11th hole, all seemed lost. Then he pulled off the unthinkable: a 140-foot chip that rolled into the cup. It was sudden, surreal, and crushed Norman’s dreams—again. It remains one of the most incredible pressure shots in Masters lore.
- The Butler Cabin Green Jacket Tradition
While not a single moment, the green jacket ceremony in Butler Cabin has become a symbolic closing chapter to every Masters tale. Whether it’s the awkward handoffs or heartfelt words, it encapsulates the tournament’s charm and deep-rooted tradition. It’s not just a jacket—it’s a legacy.
Why The Masters Endures
What makes The Masters so special? Is it the course, the traditions, or the legends it births? It’s all of those—and something more intangible. Augusta is where golf becomes mythology. Where history is made not just in victories but in heartbreaks and heroics alike. Every swing holds the promise of greatness, and every Masters week adds a new chapter to an ever-growing storybook.
