The green jacket has seen it all—roars echoing Amen Corner, legendary comebacks, record-smashing performances, and moments so bold they rewrote golf’s story mid-swing. This article lists those unforgettable flashes when Augusta was the birthplace of game-changing magic. Relive the tournament’s greatest hits that shaped the sport as we know it!
The First Masters (1934)
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Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts just wanted a good tournament on an excellent course when they pulled off the first Masters in 1934. Horton Smith won that debut, taking home $1,500. Augusta National wasn’t even finished, and the event was still called the Augusta National Invitational.
Ben Hogan’s Comeback (1951)
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Two years after a near-fatal situation, Ben Hogan returned to Augusta with bandaged legs and a steel will. Many doubted he’d walk 18 holes, let alone win. But Hogan didn’t do sympathy—he did precision. He shot 280 to claim his first green jacket, navigating Augusta with machine-like accuracy.
The Introduction of Live TV Coverage (1956)
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CBS aired the Masters live for the first time in 1956, changing how fans watched golf forever. Before that, you either read about it in the paper or listened to hushed commentary over the radio. Jack Burke Jr. won that year, but the real star was the camera—capturing Augusta’s rolling greens.
The Invention of Amen Corner (1958)
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Amen Corner wasn’t dreamed up by marketers—it came from a Sports Illustrated article. Writer Herbert Warren Wind coined the phrase after Arnold Palmer’s clutch birdie on 13 helped win him the tournament. The 11th, 12th, and 13th holes had already frustrated plenty of pros, but after Palmer’s win, the name stuck.
Gary Player Breaks the Color Barrier (1961)
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In 1961, Gary Player became the first international champion at Augusta. His win cracked the image of the Masters as a closed-off club for homegrown heroes. That green jacket stretched across continents, and suddenly, players worldwide saw a place for themselves in the sport’s most exclusive event.
Augusta Allows Black Players (1975)
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For decades, Augusta National remained stubbornly segregated. That changed in 1975 when Lee Elder teed off as the first Black golfer to play in the Masters. It wasn’t an easy road—he faced an unwelcoming spotlight. Still, Elder handled it all with grace. His presence that week wasn’t about winning but showing up.
Jack Nicklaus Wins at 46 (1986)
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No one had Jack Nicklaus circled as a serious threat in 1986. At 46, he looked like a legend in the rearview, but he delivered one of the greatest Sundays in golf. He shot a sizzling 30 on the back nine, rattled the field, and drained a birdie on 17.
Nick Faldo’s Rally Over Greg Norman (1996)
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Greg Norman had a six-shot lead going into Sunday. He’d been the heartbreak king of majors, but this was supposed to be his redemption. Instead, it became golf’s most famous collapse. Faldo played smooth, strategic golf while Norman fell apart—bogeys, missed putts, the whole unraveling.
Tiger Woods’ First Win (1997)
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Tiger Woods changed golf in 1997 with a Masters performance that still feels unreal. At 21, he dominated by 12 strokes, the largest margin in tournament history. Golf suddenly looked faster, firmer, younger, and more diverse. TV ratings also skyrocketed, and golf’s country-club reputation started to shift.
Tiger Woods Chip-In on 16 (2005)
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Tiger Woods was off the green on 16, staring down a slippery chip with no margin for error. He sent the ball trickling up the slope, let gravity work its magic, and watched it pause at the lip and then drop. That shot felt scripted like golf had hit peak drama.
Rory McIlroy’s Collapse (2011)
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Rory McIlroy looked like a future Masters champion in 2011, but Augusta had other plans. A wayward drive on the 10th hole started the unraveling. He followed that with a triple bogey, a missed short putt, and visible frustration. His final-round 80 dropped him to 15th place.
Augusta Admits Female Members (2012)
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Augusta National finally dropped its all-male rulebook in 2012, inviting Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore to join as the club’s first female members. It didn’t erase decades of exclusion but marked a turning point. The green jackets stayed the same, but the message changed: tradition could bend.
Bubba Watson’s Hook Shot (2012)
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Standing deep in the trees on the second playoff hole, Bubba Watson didn’t blink. He hooked a 40-yard wedge that curved like a cartoon, landed softly, and spun to a stop near the cup. It was outrageous and brilliant. Bubba’s creativity stunned everyone—including his opponent, Louis Oosthuizen.
Danny Willett Wins Without Leading Until the End (2016)
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Danny Willett wasn’t even supposed to play—his wife had just given birth. But when Jordan Spieth imploded on the 12th, the quiet Englishman pounced. Willett played flawless golf on Sunday, posting a bogey-free 67. He never led until the final holes, but the green jacket was his once he did.
Hideki Matsuyama’s Historic Win (2021)
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Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win a major championship in 2021. His calm, steady play across all four days gave him a cushion heading into Sunday. The moment electrified fans in Japan, sparked national celebrations, and broke a cultural barrier.
