PGA Features

Some of golf's greatest players have shaped the history of the Masters via a number of thrilling Augusta contests. PGA.info's Matthew Millard delves into the archives to recall a handful of the most memorable Masters ever witnessed.

The Shot That Shook The World

In 1935 Gene Sarazen went down in Masters' folklore after hitting the shot dubbed 'the shot heard around the world' on the par five 15th. The New Yorker, nicknamed The Squire due to his elegant attire, was three shots behind leader Craig Wood as he arrived to play his second shot - a daunting 225 yards from the green.

Sarazen puffed out his chest, pulled out his four-wood and promptly crushed it towards the pin where it rolled up to the cup and dropped for a double-eagle (aka albatross). The perfectly-executed shot took him level with Wood. Still tied at the conclusion of the round, the pair returned the next day to battle it out in the tournament's only ever 36-hole play-off.

Sarazen won the extra holes by five shots and pocketed a cheque for $1,500 but long after the money was spent, golf fans were still talking about his famous shot that will forever be etched into the history of the tournament.

Against The Odds

The 1978 Masters saw one of the greatest comebacks in golfing history. South African Gary Player was seemingly well out of the running to claim what would be his ninth major title and third Masters' victory as he teed off the final round seven shots adrift of the leaders.

At 42, and with his last win on US soil some four years prior, the Black Knight's prospects of victory appeared nil but he reached the turn in 34 and then reeled off seven birdies in the final 10 holes to finish 11-under and one shot ahead of Rod Funseth, Hubert Green and defending champion Tom Watson.

"I shot 30 on the back-nine and I rimmed the hole three times," said Player. "I thought to myself it was a good thing those putts didn't go in because if you shoot 27 round Augusta they'll never invite you back."

A Good Old 'Un

The great Jack Nicklaus capped a fine career by setting a number of records at Augusta in 1986. Nicklaus claimed his record sixth Masters' title, became the oldest winner at 46 and notched an incredible 18th major. His victory came under incredible circumstances, as he carded a six-under 30 on the back nine to record a final score of nine-under, one shot ahead of Tom Kite and Greg Norman.

At the 17th hole Nicklaus rolled in an 18 foot birdie putt and created one of the iconic images of the Masters when he raised his putter high above his head in celebration having completed an eagle-birdie-birdie run.

Agony And Ecstasy

The 1996 Masters is remembered as much for Greg Norman's spectacular collapse as Nick Faldo stunning comeback. The 'Great White Shark' shot a course record equalling 63 in the opening round and by the start of the final day commanded a six-shot lead. Denied so many times at Augusta, the Aussie ace looked a sure bet to slip on his first green jacket. But the relentless Faldo displayed all his famed mental strength and slowly and surely reeled in his rival as Norman buckled under the pressure to leak bogey after bogey.

Faldo was pin-perfect and by the end of the round had turned a six shot deficit into a five stroke advantage with Norman slipping to a 78. Afterwards Faldo wrapped Norman in a bear hug but it was hard to comprehend his rival's pain at again missing out on a Green Jacket. "I don't know what to say," Faldo told him.

Tiger's Feat

By winning the 2001 Masters Tiger Woods achieved the greatest feat in modern golf - holding all four major titles. Purists rejected the idea of a Grand Slam as Woods had won the US Open, USPGA Championship and Open the previous season. It was instead dubbed the 'Tiger Slam.'

All eyes were on Woods at the start of the tournament but he began quietly with a 70 to leave him five shots shy of the leaders. However, he stepped up the pace in the second round scoring 66, before a 68 on the penultimate day put him one-shot ahead of Phil Mickelson. A final round 68 for a 16-under-par total of 272 saw Woods win by two strokes from David Duval.