THE MASTERS

The Masters was started by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones,
who designed Augusta National with legendary course architect Alister MacKenzie.
The setting for this championship is one of breathtaking beauty where the many varieties of shrubs, trees and azaleas
lend their names to the golf course holes which, all but for one, are protected by bunkers.

The Masters is perhaps golf's most unique men's championship.
Played each year since 1934 at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, which is a private golf club,
it is now the first of the men's Majors to be played in the golfing calendar and is held in the first full week of April.

In line with the other majors, winning the Masters gives a golfer several privileges which make his career more secure.
Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the US Open,
British Open and the PGA Championship) for the next five years, and earn a lifetime invitation to the Masters.
They also receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following five seasons and invitations to
The Players Championship for five years.

However, for many players it is the slipping on of the coveted Green Jacket that is the highlight of the tournament.
Presented to the winner of The Masters by the previous years winner the Green Jacket
symbolises entry into the exclusive Augusta National Golf Club.

What causes such idolisation is a single breasted, single vent jacket in what has become known as ' Masters Green'
and is adorned with an Augusta National Golf Club logo on the left chest pocket and on the brass buttons.
It is kept for one year by the winner of The masters and then returned to Augusta National Golf Club
where it is retained for his use only on any subsequent visits to the club.

First presented in 1949 to Sam Snead the Masters has since produced three successful defences of the crown by
Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

Below is a list of all the winners of The Masters since its origin in 1934.