Top Ten: Masters Moments
Theo Hunter-Jones
Posted on: 08 April 2009 - 08:52
Golf
Its finally here, the Mecca of Golf – Augusta National golf course in Georgia – will open its gates once more for the cream of global golf to compete in, arguably, the most prestigious major tournament in the game. The Masters has always proved to be a tournament worth watching and I suspect it will be no different this year. Sport.co.uk will whittle down the best moments in Masters history to just 10 – no easy feat!
Woods: the youngest ever champion (1997)
Before this win, Woods was considered to be nothing more than a promising talent. Becoming the youngest ever professional to throw on the green blazer established the beginning of what turned out to be a superb career up to this current point in time. And his first Masters win was, arguably, one of his best performances within a major tournament. Woods shot 18-under par and donned the famous green jacket having distanced himself from the chasing pack to an incredible 12 shots.
Nicklaus: the oldest ever champion (1986)
The Golden Bear, as he is affectionately known, is widely lauded as one of the true greats of the game, and rightly so. To win a tournament of any kind at 46 is impressive, but winning a major at that age is a feat worthy of a lifetime in the history books. Within this incredible win, there were some real moments of magic. In particular, shooting 30 over the final nine holes was a remarkable achievement and sealed a fitting victory in a fading career.
Gary Player’s incredible comeback (1978)
In what would best be described as the twilight stage of his career, Player probably produced one of the most incredible comebacks ever seen in Masters history. The South African came from seven shots behind the leader in a final round that brought the Augusta crowd to breaking point. In his last ten holes, he holed seven birdies and showed exactly why he had won two previous Masters Championships.
Gene Sarazen’s albatrosse (1935)
Often referred to as “the shot heard around the world”, Sarazen’s heroics on the famous 15th hole at Augusta will never be forgotten. Sitting three stokes behind the leader Craig Wood, Sarazen threw everything into his approach shot and it flew perfectly into the cup. It earnt him a play-off with Wood which he won to bring him alongside only four other players who have conquered all four major tournaments.
Lyle: first British Champion (1988)
The cool-headed Scot was a firm favourite on Sunday going through the last nine, but it proved to be anything other than a formality for Lyle. Having experienced serious trouble around Amen corner, Lyle needed to birdie the last in order to go home victorious. That he did, and in some style. He managed to strike it right into the back of the cup from 10 yards and, in the process, secure immediate legendary status across Britain.
Roberto de Vicenzo’s card controversy (1968)
Rarely has there been such a schoolboy error made in the professional form of the game. Roberto de Vicenzo’s scorecard blunder was unlucky and not exactly his fault, but it was extremely costly all the same. The Argentine had signed his scorecard in which his playing partner had scored him wrong, and was deducted a stroke as punishment. This meant he missed out on a play-off and gifted the green jacket to Bob Goalby.
Woosie brings it home for Wales (1991)
The much loved Welshman always seemed to have bad luck in the majors, so it was nice to see Woosnam achieve Masters glory in 1991 (with, it must be added, the right number of clubs in his bag). Jokes aside, his performance in Georgia was nothing short of spectacular. The pint-sized Welshman held his nerve in the final round and with the aid of enormous grit and determination, shrugged off the close competition, including the likes of Tom Watson and Jose Olazabal.
Tiger’s chip at the 16th (2005)
Such was the quality of the stroke that in some parts of the USA it is simply known as “the shot”. DiMarco and Woods teed up on the par three 16th with Tiger one shot ahead and in the overall lead. When Woods skewed his tee shot into the long grass, DiMarco looked likely to take a share of the lead. What happened next, however, was surprising – even for Woods’ freakishly high standards. Tiger flopped his chip onto the green with unerring control and, as if it were scripted, the ball just dropped into the hole. Cue manic celebrations from the typically partisan crowd.
The completion of the “Tiger Slam” (2001)
It was the year of 2001 in which Woods was no longer considered a fine talent, but people started to wonder whether he was actually human. Winning all four majors in one season is an achievement so great it cannot be put into words, but I will try my best. The Masters win kicked it all off and paved the way for, in my humble opinion, the greatest sporting success of all time.
Faldo’s destruction of the Shark (1996)
At the start of play on the final day, Greg Norman led Nick Faldo and co. by a handsome margin of seven strokes. But in 1996, it was to be another in a long line of Norman slip-ups. The Shark would give away his lead to Faldo, albeit to Faldo in inspirational form, and is a loss which has haunted the Aussie ever since.