The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is a crucible of drama, where history unfolds amid blooming azaleas and rolling fairways. Since 1934, it has produced moments that define golf — triumphs, miracles, and heartbreaks that resonate far beyond the scoreboard. Below, we explore the most thrilling episodes in Masters history, each a testament to Augusta’s enduring magic.
The Shot Heard ’Round the World: Sarazen’s Double Eagle (1935)
In only the second Masters, Gene Sarazen delivered a moment that put the tournament on the global stage. Trailing Craig Wood by three shots on the par-5 15th, Sarazen faced a 235-yard second shot over water. Defying his caddie’s caution, he chose a 4-wood and struck a shot that soared, landed softly, and rolled into the cup for a double eagle — the rarest feat in golf. The gallery’s roar echoed through Augusta, tying Sarazen for the lead. He won in a 36-hole playoff, ensuring the Masters’ place in history and proving the course rewarded audacity.
Nicklaus’ Golden Leap: The 1975 Miracle Putt
Jack Nicklaus was already a legend by 1975, but his fifth Masters title came with one of golf’s most iconic shots. Locked in a duel with Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller, Nicklaus stood on the par-3 16th, his lead precarious. His 40-foot birdie putt rolled true, defying the green’s slopes and dropping to unleash a thunderous roar. Nicklaus leapt, putter aloft, as Weiskopf later mused, “I’d be dancing, too.” The stroke secured a one-shot victory, cementing the Golden Bear’s flair for the dramatic.
The Golden Bear’s Last Roar: Nicklaus at 46 (1986)
By 1986, Jack Nicklaus was a 46-year-old long shot, six strokes back with 10 holes to play. What followed was a back-nine masterclass. He went eagle-birdie-birdie from holes 15 to 17, his putt on the 17th prompting Verne Lundquist’s immortal call: “Maybe… yes, sir!” The final-round 65 delivered his sixth green jacket, making him the oldest Masters champion. The charge through Augusta’s pines remains a defining testament to resilience and brilliance.
Mize’s Miracle Chip: A Hometown Hero’s Magic (1987)
Augusta native Larry Mize was an underdog in 1987, facing Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman in a sudden-death playoff. On the second playoff hole, the par-4 11th, Mize’s approach left him 140 feet from the pin, off the green. With Norman poised to pounce, Mize chipped delicately — the ball bounced, checked, and rolled into the cup. The crowd’s eruption shook Amen Corner, and Mize’s improbable shot clinched his only major, a moment of local lore.
Lyle’s Bunker Brilliance: The First Briton’s Triumph (1988)
Sandy Lyle’s 1988 victory brought a new milestone — the first British Masters champion. Tied for the lead on the 18th, Lyle found the fairway bunker, facing a do-or-die moment. His 7-iron cleared the bunker’s lip, flew past the flag, and spun back to 10 feet. Sinking the par putt, Lyle secured the green jacket, his clutch shot forever etched as one of Augusta’s most daring escapes.
Tiger’s Arrival: The 1997 Demolition
At 21, Tiger Woods rewrote history in 1997, winning by a record 12 strokes. His 18-under-par 270 shattered benchmarks, and his final putt sparked an emotional embrace with his father Earl, marking the first African-American Masters champion. Woods’ dominance was a cultural shift, blending power and precision to announce a new era. The victory’s magnitude still reverberates as one of Augusta’s most transformative moments.
Woods’ Impossible Chip: The 2005 Nike Moment
Tiger Woods’ 2005 playoff against Chris DiMarco produced a shot that defies belief. On the par-3 16th, his tee shot overshot the green, leaving a treacherous chip. Aiming left, Woods let the slope guide the ball, which trickled, paused agonizingly on the lip, and fell for a birdie. The crowd’s roar and the ball’s Nike logo linger in memory, propelling Woods to his fourth green jacket and showcasing his knack for the surreal.
Lefty’s Leap: Mickelson’s Breakthrough (2004)
Phil Mickelson, long haunted by major near-misses, stood on the 18th green in 2004 needing a birdie to best Ernie Els. His 18-foot putt curled in, sparking “Lefty’s Leap” — a joyous hop that captured his relief. Jim Nantz’s call, “Is it his time? Yes!” became iconic, as Mickelson claimed his first major. The moment marked a turning point, proving Augusta rewards persistence.
Mickelson’s Pine-Straw Gamble: 2010’s Bold Shot
In 2010, Mickelson added another masterpiece. On the par-5 13th, his tee shot landed among pines, leaving a risky 207-yard approach. Ignoring caution, he threaded a 6-iron through a narrow gap, landing it four feet from the pin for an eagle. The shot, equal parts reckless and genius, fueled his third Masters win, showcasing his swashbuckling style.
Bubba’s Hooked Miracle: The 2012 Playoff Stunner
Bubba Watson’s 2012 playoff against Louis Oosthuizen, who earlier carded a rare double eagle on the 2nd, hinged on an impossible shot. On the second playoff hole, Watson’s tee shot veered into the trees. With no clear path, he hit a gap wedge that curved 40 yards, landing on the green to set up a winning par. The creative genius of the shot remains one of Augusta’s most astonishing plays.
Tiger’s Redemption: The 2019 Comeback
After years of injuries and personal turmoil, Tiger Woods’ 2019 victory was a story of resurrection. At 43, he outlasted a stacked leaderboard, seizing the lead with a birdie on the 15th. His final putt triggered roars, and his embrace with his son Charlie echoed his 1997 hug with Earl. The fifth green jacket, won against all odds, is perhaps the most emotional moment in Masters history.
Rory’s Redemption: Completing the Slam (2025)
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 win was a decade in the making. After blowing a four-shot lead on the back nine, he bogeyed the 18th, forcing a playoff with Justin Rose. On the first playoff hole, McIlroy’s approach danced to four feet, and his birdie putt clinched the career Grand Slam, joining golf’s elite six. His tearful, roaring celebration captured the weight of a dream fulfilled.
Augusta’s Enduring Spell
From Sarazen’s albatross to McIlroy’s triumph, the Masters thrives on moments that test skill, nerve, and heart. Augusta National’s beauty belies its brutality, coaxing brilliance from those bold enough to seize it. Each spring, as the dogwoods bloom, the tournament writes new legends, ensuring its place as golf’s greatest stage.
