Last Updated on September 1, 2026 by Maurya
Few sporting events combine history, tradition and elite competition as effectively as the Golf Masters Tournament. Played each year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the Masters is one of men’s professional golf’s four major championships and arguably its most visually recognizable tournament.
The immaculate fairways, blooming azaleas, intimidating greens and famous Green Jacket have become part of golf culture. Unlike the other men’s majors, which move among different courses, the Masters returns to Augusta National every year. That continuity gives players and fans an unusually deep connection with individual holes, past champions and historic moments.
The tournament has been staged since 1934, although there were three cancellations during World War II. What began as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament has developed into one of the most prestigious championships in world golf. The 2026 Masters was the 90th edition, with Rory McIlroy successfully defending his title to become only the fourth player to win consecutive Masters.
What Is the Masters Tournament?
The Masters Tournament is an annual 72-hole stroke-play golf championship held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, United States.
It traditionally takes place in April and attracts an invitation-only field consisting of many of the world’s leading professionals along with selected amateur champions. The qualification criteria include past Masters champions, recent winners of other major championships, leading players from major tours and world rankings, and winners of designated amateur championships. Masters champions receive a lifetime invitation under the tournament’s qualification system.
For the 2026 tournament, Augusta National was listed as a par-72 course measuring 7,565 yards. The championship purse was $22.5 million.
The combination of a relatively small field and a familiar venue makes the Masters different from most major championships. Players may compete on Augusta National year after year, learning where approaches must land, which sides of greens provide realistic birdie chances and where seemingly minor errors can quickly become double bogeys.
The History of the Golf Masters Tournament
Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts and Augusta National
The story of the Masters begins with legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones.
After retiring from top-level competitive golf, Jones became closely involved in the creation of Augusta National Golf Club. He co-founded the club and the tournament with businessman Clifford Roberts. Official Masters historical material identifies Jones and Roberts as the tournament’s co-founders.
Augusta National provided Jones with an opportunity to create the type of strategic golf course he admired. The result became a venue where positioning, imagination, distance control and putting are often more important than simply hitting the ball a long way.
The first tournament was played in 1934, although it was not initially called the Masters. Its original official name was the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. Official Masters material relating to the inaugural event confirms that the first annual invitation tournament was held in 1934 and was later renamed the Masters.
Horton Smith Wins the First Masters
The inaugural tournament took place in March 1934, and Horton Smith became its first champion.
Smith completed the tournament in 284 strokes, four under par, defeating Craig Wood by one stroke. He would win again in 1936, making him the first multiple Masters champion.
The tournament adopted its present name in 1939, when the Augusta National Invitation Tournament officially became the Masters Tournament.
From that point, the championship’s stature continued to grow rapidly.
Gene Sarazen and the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
One of the first truly legendary Masters moments occurred in 1935.
Gene Sarazen was trailing when he holed his second shot on the par-5 15th hole for a rare double eagle—now generally called an albatross. The spectacular shot helped him force a playoff with Craig Wood.
Sarazen won the following day’s 36-hole playoff by five strokes, and his approach to No. 15 became known as the “shot heard ’round the world.”
That moment helped establish the Masters as a championship capable of producing dramatic swings of fortune, something Augusta National continues to do particularly well.
World War II Interrupts the Tournament
The Masters was not contested in 1943, 1944 or 1945 because of World War II.
It remains the only three-year interruption in tournament history. The event returned in 1946, with Herman Keiser winning by a single stroke over Ben Hogan.
The tournament has otherwise been held every year. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Masters was postponed rather than cancelled, eventually taking place unusually late in November.
The Green Jacket Becomes Golf’s Most Famous Prize
Few prizes in sport are as instantly recognizable as the Masters Green Jacket.
Green jackets were originally introduced for Augusta National members in 1937 so patrons could easily identify club officials when they needed assistance. The tradition later evolved into a symbol of Masters victory.
In 1949, champion Sam Snead became the first winner to be formally presented with a Green Jacket. Previous champions subsequently received jackets as well.
Today, the previous year’s champion traditionally helps place the Green Jacket on the new winner. When a defending champion wins again, the presentation is handled by the Augusta National chairman.
The jacket represents much more than a piece of clothing. It signifies permanent membership in one of golf’s most exclusive groups: Masters champions.
Augusta National and Why the Course Is So Special
Augusta National is central to the Masters’ identity.
Other men’s majors regularly change venues, but Masters competitors return to the same course. That means fans recognize individual holes almost as readily as they recognize famous players.
Augusta’s defenses are not always obvious on television. Wide fairways can give the impression that driving is relatively forgiving, but the course places enormous importance on approach angles. Its fast, heavily contoured greens can punish a shot that finishes only a few feet from its intended landing point.
Players frequently need to think several shots ahead. Being below the hole can be considerably more valuable than simply hitting the green, while missing on the wrong side may leave an extremely difficult recovery.
For the 2026 Masters, the PGA Tour listed Augusta National at 7,565 yards and par 72.
What Is Amen Corner?
No part of Augusta National is more famous than Amen Corner, the stretch involving holes 11, 12 and 13. Official Masters material identifies these three holes as Amen Corner.
The sequence can completely transform the Masters leaderboard.
No. 11 is a demanding par four where water can punish an aggressive approach. No. 12, named Golden Bell, is a short par three played across Rae’s Creek but has produced some of the most costly mistakes in Masters history. No. 13, Azalea, is a reachable par five that offers an opportunity for eagle or birdie while still punishing poorly judged approaches.
The contrast is what makes Amen Corner so compelling. Within only three holes, a player can move from protecting par to facing one of the most intimidating short iron shots in golf and then immediately encounter a potential scoring opportunity.
Championships have repeatedly been won and lost there.
Famous Masters Traditions
The Masters has developed traditions that extend far beyond the four tournament rounds.
The Champions Dinner brings together previous Masters winners during tournament week. Ben Hogan originated what became the Masters Club dinner in 1952, creating an exclusive gathering centered around those who had already won at Augusta.
The Wednesday Par 3 Contest is another long-standing part of Masters week, providing a more relaxed atmosphere before the championship begins. Family members frequently serve as caddies, creating scenes quite different from the pressure of Sunday afternoon.
Honorary starters are also part of the tournament’s ceremonial opening, while the Green Jacket presentation remains one of sport’s most recognizable victory rituals.
These traditions help explain why the Golf Masters Tournament feels different from a conventional PGA Tour event. History is not simply remembered at Augusta—it is deliberately incorporated into each new edition.
Masters Tournament Winners: 2000–2026
The following table shows Masters champions since 2000, based on PGA Tour tournament records.
| Year | Masters Champion | Winning Score |
| 2026 | Rory McIlroy | 276 (-12) |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | 277 (-11), playoff |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | 277 (-11) |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm | 276 (-12) |
| 2022 | Scottie Scheffler | 278 (-10) |
| 2021 | Hideki Matsuyama | 278 (-10) |
| 2020 | Dustin Johnson | 268 (-20) |
| 2019 | Tiger Woods | 275 (-13) |
| 2018 | Patrick Reed | 273 (-15) |
| 2017 | Sergio Garcia | 279 (-9) |
| 2016 | Danny Willett | 283 (-5) |
| 2015 | Jordan Spieth | 270 (-18) |
| 2014 | Bubba Watson | 280 (-8) |
| 2013 | Adam Scott | 279 (-9) |
| 2012 | Bubba Watson | 278 (-10) |
| 2011 | Charl Schwartzel | 274 (-14) |
| 2010 | Phil Mickelson | 272 (-16) |
| 2009 | Ángel Cabrera | 276 (-12) |
| 2008 | Trevor Immelman | 280 (-8) |
| 2007 | Zach Johnson | 289 (+1) |
| 2006 | Phil Mickelson | 281 (-7) |
| 2005 | Tiger Woods | 276 (-12) |
| 2004 | Phil Mickelson | 279 (-9) |
| 2003 | Mike Weir | 281 (-7) |
| 2002 | Tiger Woods | 276 (-12) |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods | 272 (-16) |
| 2000 | Vijay Singh | 278 (-10) |
The list demonstrates how difficult sustained success at Augusta can be. Even many of golf’s greatest major champions have never won the Masters.
Who Has Won the Most Masters Tournaments?
Jack Nicklaus holds the all-time record with six Masters victories, winning in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986.
Tiger Woods ranks second with five titles, while Arnold Palmer won four.
| Player | Masters Wins |
| Jack Nicklaus | 6 |
| Tiger Woods | 5 |
| Arnold Palmer | 4 |
| Jimmy Demaret | 3 |
| Sam Snead | 3 |
| Gary Player | 3 |
| Nick Faldo | 3 |
| Phil Mickelson | 3 |
| Rory McIlroy | 2 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 2 |
| Seve Ballesteros | 2 |
| Bernhard Langer | 2 |
| Ben Hogan | 2 |
| Byron Nelson | 2 |
| Tom Watson | 2 |
| Bubba Watson | 2 |
Nicklaus’ six victories remain the standard against which every dominant Augusta career is measured. His first came in 1963 and his final victory arrived 23 years later in one of golf’s most celebrated performances.
Jack Nicklaus’ Historic 1986 Masters Victory
Nicklaus’ sixth Green Jacket is particularly significant because he won it at 46 years old.
Entering the back nine on Sunday, Nicklaus produced one of the championship’s defining charges. His late birdies, including a crucial putt at No. 17, put him in position to claim an extraordinary victory. Official Masters historical material notes that the 1986 triumph was his sixth Masters title.
At 46 years and 82 days, Nicklaus remains the oldest Masters champion.
Tiger Woods Changes Masters History in 1997
Tiger Woods’ first Masters victory in 1997 transformed both the tournament and professional golf.
At just 21 years and 104 days, Woods became the youngest Masters champion. He won by an astonishing 12 strokes, setting a tournament record for the largest winning margin.
His 270 total, 18 under par, was also a Masters scoring record at the time.
Woods would eventually win five Green Jackets—in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019—and become one of the defining figures in Masters history. His emotional 2019 comeback victory, after years of injury problems, remains one of Augusta National’s most memorable modern chapters.
Dustin Johnson Sets the Masters Scoring Record
The 2020 Masters was unlike any other.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was moved from April to November and played without the usual large galleries.
Dustin Johnson took advantage of softer scoring conditions to produce a record-breaking performance. He finished at 20 under par with a total of 268, establishing the lowest 72-hole winning score in Masters history.
His record lowered the previous benchmark of 18 under, jointly held by Woods from 1997 and Jordan Spieth from 2015.
Rory McIlroy’s Historic 2025 and 2026 Masters Wins
One of the most significant recent chapters in Golf Masters Tournament history belongs to Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy arrived at Augusta for years needing only the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. After numerous close calls, he finally achieved the goal in 2025, defeating Justin Rose with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.
The victory made McIlroy only the sixth men’s golfer to complete the career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
He then returned in 2026 and successfully defended his Green Jacket.
McIlroy shot rounds of 67, 65, 73 and 71 for a 12-under total of 276, defeating Scottie Scheffler by one stroke. His victory made him only the fourth player to win consecutive Masters titles, following Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
He earned $4.5 million from the tournament’s $22.5 million purse.
Key Masters Tournament Records
Several records help illustrate just how exceptional the greatest performances at Augusta have been.
| Masters Record | Holder | Record |
| Most victories | Jack Nicklaus | 6 |
| Youngest champion | Tiger Woods | 21 years, 104 days |
| Oldest champion | Jack Nicklaus | 46 years, 82 days |
| Lowest 72-hole score | Dustin Johnson | 268 (-20), 2020 |
| Lowest 18-hole round | Nick Price & Greg Norman | 63 (-9) |
| Largest winning margin | Tiger Woods | 12 strokes, 1997 |
| Consecutive titles | Nicklaus, Faldo, Woods & McIlroy | 2 each |
The 18-hole scoring record of 63 was first achieved by Nick Price in 1986 and matched by Greg Norman in 1996. Dustin Johnson’s 268 remains the 72-hole tournament benchmark.
Key Facts About the Golf Masters Tournament
First tournament: 1934
Original name: Augusta National Invitation Tournament
First champion: Horton Smith
Venue: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
Format: 72-hole stroke play
Course par: 72
2026 course length: 7,565 yards
Most Masters victories: Jack Nicklaus, six
Youngest champion: Tiger Woods, age 21
Oldest champion: Jack Nicklaus, age 46
Lowest winning score: Dustin Johnson, 268 (-20)
First Green Jacket presented to a champion: Sam Snead, 1949
2026 champion: Rory McIlroy
2026 winning score: 276 (-12)
2026 purse: $22.5 million
2026 winner’s share: $4.5 million
These figures are supported by current PGA Tour tournament records and official Masters qualification and historical material.
Why the Masters Is So Important in Golf
Winning any major championship can define a player’s career. Winning the Masters carries an additional layer of historical meaning because every champion succeeds on the same piece of golfing ground.
A player walking to the 12th tee on Sunday knows that Woods, Nicklaus, Palmer, Faldo, Ballesteros and countless other legends faced essentially the same strategic question there.
Every drive along the second nine is connected with previous tournaments. Every leaderboard charge is measured against famous Masters Sundays from earlier generations.
Augusta National therefore provides something rare in modern professional sport: continuity.
The course changes over time, players become longer and equipment advances, yet the championship’s fundamental identity remains recognizable. The same holes continue to create drama. The same Green Jacket awaits the champion.
That combination has allowed the Masters to maintain an aura that goes beyond rankings or prize money.
FAQs
When was the first Masters Tournament?
The first tournament was played in 1934 at Augusta National Golf Club. Horton Smith won the inaugural championship with a score of 284.
Who won the 2026 Masters?
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters, finishing at 12 under par with a total score of 276. He defeated Scottie Scheffler by one stroke and successfully defended the title he won in 2025.
Who has won the most Green Jackets?
Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six Masters victories. Tiger Woods is second with five, while Arnold Palmer won four.
Has anyone won the Masters two years in a row?
Yes. Four golfers have successfully defended the title: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. McIlroy became the latest to do so with his 2025 and 2026 victories.
What is Amen Corner at the Masters?
Amen Corner consists of holes 11, 12 and 13 at Augusta National. The stretch is famous because water, wind, difficult greens and risk-reward strategy can dramatically change the tournament leaderboard.
What is the Masters scoring record?
Dustin Johnson holds the 72-hole scoring record with 268 strokes, 20 under par, set during the 2020 Masters.
Who is the youngest Masters winner?
Tiger Woods is the youngest champion. He was 21 years and 104 days old when he won the 1997 Masters.
Who is the oldest Masters winner?
Jack Nicklaus remains the oldest champion after winning his sixth Masters in 1986 at 46 years and 82 days old.
Does a Masters champion qualify for future Masters?
Yes. Masters champions receive a lifetime invitation under the tournament’s qualification criteria, although former champions may eventually choose to stop competing.
Conclusion
The Golf Masters Tournament is much more than another stop on the professional golf calendar. Since Horton Smith won the inaugural championship in 1934, Augusta National has provided the setting for some of golf’s most enduring stories—from Gene Sarazen’s famous 1935 albatross and Jack Nicklaus’ record six victories to Tiger Woods’ historic triumphs, Dustin Johnson’s scoring record and Rory McIlroy’s consecutive victories in 2025 and 2026.
Its enduring appeal comes from a combination few sporting events can replicate. The venue remains the same. The championship’s traditions are carefully preserved. Famous holes such as those at Amen Corner continue to test each new generation, while the Green Jacket provides an instantly recognizable link between today’s champions and the legends who came before them.
McIlroy’s 2026 title added another chapter to that history, making him only the fourth golfer to successfully defend a Masters championship. Yet Augusta National’s real strength is that history never feels finished. Every April creates another opportunity for a remarkable shot, dramatic collapse, Sunday charge or new champion to become permanently associated with one of golf’s greatest stages.
