Greatest Shots in Masters History
Updated: Apr 17
The Masters is arguably the greatest tournament in golf. Whilst it might be the youngest of golf's four major championships, the Masters has established itself as an event like no other. From the iconic green jacket to the immaculate fairways of Augusta National, every golfer dreams of becoming the Masters champion.
Now in its 87th edition, the tournament has witnessed its fair share of monumental moments and unbelievable shots. We break down the top eight:
8. Adam Scott | 18th Hole | Final Round | 2013
There are moments in golf when you just have to step up and make a putt. That is exactly what Aussie Adam Scott did on the 18th hole of the final round back in 2013. Tied for the lead at -8 as he approached the 72nd hole, Scott knew a birdie would put him in good stead to capture his first green jacket.
Eyeing up a 20-footer, Scott displayed enormous heart and drained the putt before memorably screaming out, 'COME ON, AUSSIE!' The birdie got him into a playoff with Argentina's Angel Cabrera and in the end Scott prevailed as the champion.
7. Louis Oosthuizen | 2nd Hole | Final Round | 2012
In 2012, South African Louis Oosthuizen enjoyed his best finish at the Masters, aided by an incredible two at the par-5 3rd hole during the final round. Pulling a 4-iron from 253 yards, Oosthuizen landed his ball in the perfect spot. It caught the slope on the green and rolled right into the cup for an albatross.
He finished with a three-under 69 and went into a playoff with American Bubba Watson as both players were tied at -10. Watson would prevail and add himself to this list with an incredible recovery shot...read on to find out what that was.
6. Larry Mize | 11th Hole | Final Round-Playoff | 1987
American Larry Mize's one and only major came in dramatic fashion at Augusta National. Tied after 72 holes with two of golf's most legendary names, Aussie Greg Norman and Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, many had already written Mize off before the playoff had even begun.
However, a Ballesteros bogey on hole number 10 left just Norman and Mize to play number 11. Mize shoved his approach to the green way right, leaving himself a treacherous chip back towards the water. Mize subsequently chipped-in, leapt into the air and broke Norman's heart in the process.
5. Gene Sarazen | 15th Hole | Final Round | 1935
In just the second playing of the Masters tournament, American Gene Sarazen hit a shot that would become known as the 'shot heard round the world'. Trailing Craig Wood by three shots as he stood on the par-5 15th fairway, Sarazen eliminated that deficit in just one shot. Pulling his 4-wood he smacked the ball over the water and straight into the hole.
Sarazen went on to defeat Wood in a playoff and his shot on 15 went down in Masters history.
4. Jack Nicklaus | 16th & 17th Holes | Final Round | 1986
During his illustrious career, 'the Golden Bear' won a record 18 major titles. His final one came at the Masters at the age of 46 in dramatic style. Coming down the last few holes, Nicklaus was in the hunt alongside Greg Norman and Tom Kite. He then stuffed his tee shot at the par-3 16th hole to within a few inches, famously reaching down to pick up his tee whilst the ball was in mid-air, already knowing it was a beauty.
Then on the 17th green, he sank one of the most famous putts in Masters history to grab the lead and in the end clinch his sixth green jacket.
3. Phil Mickelson | 13th Hole | Final Round | 2010
The par-5 13th hole at Augusta has provided its fair share of drama down the years, none more memorable than American Phil Mickelson's shot out of the pine straw. His caddie fancied the layup back onto the fairway but there's a reason Mickelson's nicknamed 'Phil the Thrill'.
Mickelson grabbed his 6-iron, ignored the tree in his way, clipped the ball perfectly off the pine straw and floated it over the creek and onto the green. The ball landed just a matter of feet from the pin. Mickelson's third green jacket was on its way.
2. Bubba Watson | 10th Hole | Final Round-Playoff | 2012
After finishing 72 holes tied at -10 with South African Louis Oosthuizen, the pair went into extra holes. Playing the 10th hole, American Bubba Watson found himself in the right hand trees after his drive and subsequently blocked out from the green. For most mere mortals, the only shot available was a chip-out back onto the fairway. That's not what Bubba saw.
He took out his gap wedge and proceeded to defy physics by hooking the ball some 40 yards around the trees and onto the green, which was over 140 yards away. The ball finished about 15 feet from the hole and Bubba secured his first green jacket,.
1. Tiger Woods | 16th Hole | Final Round | 2005
As Tiger Woods approached the 16th hole during the final round of the 2005 Masters, he was locked in battle with fellow American Chris DiMarco. Woods pulled an 8-iron long and left of the green into the rough. Despair quickly turned to complete elation as Woods produced the most famous chip-in in the history of golf.
Chipping his ball some 20-feet above the hole, the ball quickly gripped before rolling downwards towards the cup. It then stopped for a brief, agonising moment on the edge of the hole, before dramatically completing one last roll and dropping in. The commentator then famously declared, 'In your life have you seen anything like that?!' The answer to that was and still is 'No'.
Often forgotten is the fact Woods then bogeyed his next two holes and had to win his fourth green jacket via a playoff against DiMarco.
Which do you think is the greatest shot in Masters history?
- Tiger Woods (2005)
- Bubba Watson (2012)
- Phil Mickelson (2010)
- Jack Nicklaus (1986)
