Jamie’s 5 Greatest Moments at the Masters

As we are all watching the Masters right now, here are my 5 greatest moments at the Masters.

Number 5

Well this is a great moment in Masters History, in 1992 in the final when Fred Couples (USA) won his first and only Masters Tournament he had an extremely lucky break in the final round on the short par 3 12th hole. He hit his tee ball short on the banks of Rae’s Creek and to his amazement and the galleries Amazement it didn’t roll in to Rae’s Creek instead it stayed on the bank. He went on to get up and down for his par. It was the turning point in the tournament for Fred Couples (USA) and he went on to win.

Number 4

This moment is brilliant; it is when Jack Nicklaus (USA) won the Masters Tournament for the sixth and final time of his Career when he was 46 years old in 1986. It was his 18th and final Major of his Career. He shot 31-5 on the back nine in the final round that included an eagle on the 15th hole and a near hole in one on the par 3 16th hole, that left him an easy birdie putt, and then he went onto birdie the 17th hole and par the last. Poor Greg Norman (Australia) had to par the last to force a playoff but was unable too. And to make it more Special for Jack Nicklaus (USA) he had his Son carrying the bag for him to share the amazing experience. 

 

Number 3

This moment will forever go down in Masters Tournament history. In the 1987 the US Masters was decided in a playoff between Greg Norman (Australia) and Larry Mize (USA). On the 2nd playoff hole it appeared that Greg Norman (Australia) had the Advantage after they both had missed their 2nd shots to the right of the green. Greg Norman (Australia) had missed his, only just off the green. But Larry Mize (USA) the Augusta native, who grew up being a scoreboard attendant at the Masters Tournament when he has a kid, had missed it about 10yards to the right. But then something Amazing happened. He took out his pitching wedge and when he chipped it took two bounces on the grass before the green and then rolled to the hole just like a putt and fell in the hole for a birdie 3 on the par 4. Greg Norman (Australia) was shocked. And when he was unable to hole his birdie putt from just off the green. Larry Mize (USA) had won his first Masters Tournament. And from that day on that shot from Larry Mize (USA) is still talked about and has gone down in Masters Tournament Folk Law. 

Number 2

In 2004 Phil Mickelson (USA) had his best chance ever in his career so far at that time to win his 1st Major Championship of his Career. Coming to the 72nd hole he was tied for the lead with Ernie Els (RSA) who had all ready posted -8. Phil Mickelson (USA) hit 3 Wood off the tee for accuracy and then hit a short iron shot that finished 15 feet past the hole. Now all he knew he had to do was sink that putt and he had won his 1st Major and 1st Master Tournament after having so many close shaves in the previous years. With his Family watching on, he struck the putt perfectly and it caught a piece of the hole and fell in. He raised his hands in the air to celebrate his win. Then he hugged his wife Amy and his Daughter Amanda before going to make the win official by signing his scorecard. He has since gone on to win 3 more Majors including 2 more Masters Tournaments.

Number 1

The 1996 Masters Tournament will always be remembered as the one that Greg Norman (Australia) blew. After scoring rounds of 63-9, 69-3, and 71-1 for a 54 hole total of -13 and a 6shot lead over Nick Faldo (England) it looked like a certainty that he would claim his 1st Green Jacket after going so close in the Mid 1980’s. But Nick Faldo (England) had other Ideas. It all started going sour for Greg Norman (Australia) on the 9th hole where he made a poor bogey from the middle of the fairway. Then he pulled his 2nd shot left on the 10th hole to make another bogey. When Greg Norman (Australia) 3putted the 11th, he and Nick Faldo (England) were all tied up for the 1st time in the day at -9.  The legendary Golf Analyst for CBS Sports Ken Venturi (USA) made the comment, as they walked to the 2nd hole of Amen Corner about the huge crowd “They are clapping because they are tied and may the best man win”. Nick Faldo (England) hit his tee shot on the green, about 15th feet from the pin, but Greg Norman (Australia) hit his short into Rae’s Creek. Nick Faldo (England) made an easy par 3 to Greg Norman's (Australia) Double Bogey 5. Nick Faldo (England) now had a 2shot lead. Nick Faldo (England) made birdie on the Par 5 13th hole and so did Greg Norman (Australia). So the lead was still 2, they both parred the par 4, 14th and both birdied the short par 5, 15th hole. So going to the short par 3 16th hole, Nick Faldo (England) still had a 2shot lead. Nick Faldo (England) put his ball on the green and made his par 3, but Greg Norman (Australia) hit his ball short in the water and made double bogey. So Nick Faldo (England) now had a 4shot lead. They both made pars on the Par 4, 17hole. And Ken Venturi, CBS Golf Analyst, this time said “Right now Greg Norman (Australia) is looking but not seeing anything”. To top it all off Nick Faldo (England) birdied the 18th for a 67-5 and a 5shot win and his 3rd Master Tournament win having won it 2times before. Greg Norman (Australia) holed out for a final round 78+6 and they both hugged in an embrace and exchanged kind words. Greg Norman (Australia) took it on the chin. And just put it down to a bad day. But he must feel like it was the one that got away on him. And to this day he has still never won the Masters Tournament. But at least in his career he claimed 2 Open Championships.