The 88th edition of the Masters tournament which starts on April 11th is almost here. On cue, the azaleas will be in full bloom, the course will be its normal lush green throughout and the greens will be true and quick. The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club is always a highly anticipated week where golf fans throughout the world start asking each other “is it Masters week?”
I believe this year could arguably be the most anticipated Masters ever. I think for most it is just the opportunity to get away from all the politics that have infected the game and get back to what’s good about professional golf. For many that is the tradition of viewing this tournament and talking about it with family and friends which can bring back a lifetime of great memories. Certainly, for many others, the anticipation of competition between the splintered factions of professional golfers is making this a highly anticipated major championship. No matter your reason, the 2024 Masters could certainly produce one of those once in a lifetime moments. Looking back at the rich and storied history of the Masters, there are certainly a few moments that have defined and shaped this championship.
Larry Mize Chips in on 11th to win the 1987 Masters
Larry Mize, who was born in Augusta, Georgia, birdied the 72nd hole to get in a playoff with legendary golfers Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros. Seve failed to get up and down on the 10th hole and was eliminated while both Mize and Norman two-putted for par to move on to the 11th hole. Both players found the fairway, but Mize bailed out to the right with his second shot to avoid the water. Norman played a conservative shot into the green possibly thinking par might tie or even win the tournament. Then this happened.
Tiger Woods’ Gravity Defying Chip on 16th Hole in 2005 Masters
In the 2005 Masters, Tiger Woods was battling down the home stretch against Chris DiMarco. DiMarco had been in contention all week with Tiger lurking and eventually taking a three-shot lead into Sunday. Coming home, DiMarco was just one back after they both birdied the 15th hole. DiMarco hit a solid shot into the 16th hole setting up a good birdie try. Tiger flew the green and was faced with a chip so tough that the announcers questioned whether he could even get his second shot inside DiMarco’s. Then this happened.
Tiger would actually end up bogeying 17th and 18th holes forcing a playoff with Chris DiMarco. This year, the playoff started on the 18th hole where Tiger hit his second shot within 15 feet and made the tournament winning putt in dramatic fashion and claimed his fourth green jacket.
Bubba Watson’s Miraculous 2nd Shot on the 10th in a Playoff
Going into the final round of the 2012 Masters, Bubba Watson was three shots back of Peter Hanson of Sweden. Both Phil Mickelson and Louis Oosthuizen were one and two back respectively. The lead changed hands several times including when Oosthuizen made an albatross on the par-5 second hole. Bubba Watson charged back on the back nine on Sunday making four straight birdies on the 13th to 16th holes. This setup a sudden death playoff that went off on the 18th hole. Both players made pars sending the playoff over to the 10th hole. Neither player hit good tee shots. Bubba hooked his tee shot deep into the woods with no sight to the green. Then this happened.
Bubba Watson would go on to two putt and win the playoff, the tournament and his first of two green jackets.
Phil Mickelson’s Putt on the 72nd Hole of the 2004 Masters
The 2004 Masters, like most, came down to a back nine duel on Sunday. It was between Ernie Els of South Africa and Phil Mickelson. Despite making two eagles in the final round, Els couldn’t pull away from Mickelson. Phil birdied the 12th, 13th, 14th and 16th holes getting to eight under (-8) and was tied with Els going into the last hole of the tournament. Mickelson hit his second into the 18th hole leaving himself about 25 feet down to the hole. Then this happened.
Jack Nicklaus on the 17th at the 1986 Masters
A 46-year old Jack Nicklaus trailed the biggest names in golf at that time. He was about 12 shots deep down the leaderboard going into the final round of the 1986 Masters. Ahead of him were tournament leader Greg Norman trailed by Seve Ballesteros, Bernard Langer, Nick Price, Tom Kite and Tom Watson. Nicklaus wasn’t in contention until he made three consecutive birdies on the tough 9th, 10th and 11th holes. Nicklaus made bogey on the 12th and all hope seemed lost as he dropped three shots back again. Ballesteros took that three shot lead by making his second eagle of the day on the par-5 13th hole. Nicklaus birdied the 13th himself then mounted a final charge by eagling the 15th hole then tapping in for birdie on the 16th. He hit his second shot to about 12 feet on the 17th hole then this happened.
Nicklaus would go on to make par on the 18th hole shooting a final round 65. The competition would falter down the end. Ballesteros would make a couple bogeys and come up a couple shots short. Tom Kite just missed a chance at tying down the end. Greg Norman charged back birdieing four consecutive holes on the 14th to the 17th. Norman ending up bogeying the last making Nicklaus the champion. This was the 6th Masters title and green jacket for Nicklaus.