how many senior tour wins does bernhard langer have

Masters Tournament

Augusta National Golf Club

A HISTORY OF EVERY HOLE AT AUGUSTA

EVERY HOLE AT AUGUSTA

Age is just a number

All hail Bernhard Langer, who sets record for oldest PGA Tour Champions winner at 64

Bernhard Langer celebrates after making the winning putt on the 18th green during the first playoff hole during the final round of the PGA TOUR Champions Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

If Phil Mickelson is the Tom Brady of golf, then Bernhard Langer must be George Blanda.

Langer beat Doug Barron on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff Sunday to win the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond, Va., and became the oldest winner in senior golf history at the age of 64 years and change.

MORE: Hideki Matsuyama's Zozo victory far different than his Masters triumph

About 15 minutes after his two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th hole forced a playoff with Barron at 14-under 202, Langer sank a five-foot birdie putt on the same hole at the Country Club of Virginia to win for the 42nd time on the PGA Tour Champions, three shy of Hale Irwin’s all-time record for victories. Barron lipped out from six feet for birdie to open the door for Langer, 12 years older, to win for the first time in 20 months.

“I’ve been knocking on the door. I’ve lost a bunch of playoffs. I tried to forget about that and block it out of my mind because I’ve had a lot of close calls,” said Langer, who, by the way, beat defending champion Phil Mickelson by 14 strokes. “It’s an awesome feeling. I hadn’t won since Tucson last year, but that’s how much sweeter it is.”

Langer, who had four runner-up finishes since his last win, extended to 15 his streak of consecutive calendar years with at least one victory. The German native shot a closing three-under 69, while Barron, 52, seeking his third senior title, had a 68 that included birdies on two of his last four holes.

Doug Barron tees off on the first hole during the final round of the PGA Tour Champions Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

“I don't aspire to play when I'm at the same age as him. He's just an anomaly,” Barron said of Blanda … er, Langer. “He's incredibly, incredibly gifted, and he's one of my heroes and good friends. If I'm going to get beat, I don't mind getting beat by him. He's one of those guys that you just never can pull against.”

Langer extended his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup, the season-long points race that draws back from the beginning of 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of a number of tournaments. He has won the Schwab Cup five times; no one else has won it more than twice.

“The Schwab Cup is the next goal as it has been for a year and a half or two years now,” Langer said. “We're a little bit closer, but it's not over yet.”

Steve Flesch, who began the day with a two-stroke lead over Langer and Steven Alker, ended up solo third after a 73. Mickelson played his final six holes in six over par, including a quadruple-bogey 9 at his final hole, but still shot 71. He finished T-47.

More from Golf Digest

Trending now.

Bernhard Langer wins U.S. Senior Open, sets mark for career wins on PGA Tour Champions

• Associated Press

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- Bernhard Langer won the U.S. Senior Open on Sunday at SentryWorld to break the PGA Tour Champions' career victory record.

Pushing his record as the oldest winner on the 50-and-over tour to 65 years, 10 months, 5 days, the German star broke a tie with Hale Irwin for the victory mark with No. 46.

"I have my mother that's going to be 100 on August 4th, so I think I have good genes," Langer said. "Hopefully, I'll be around a few more years."

Seven strokes ahead on the back nine, Langer bogeyed the final three holes for 1-under 70 and a two-stroke victory over home-state favorite Steve Stricker on the tree-lined course with thick rough.

"Never thought it would happen at a U.S. Senior Open, but I'm very thrilled that the record of 46 wins happened this week," Langer said. "It's certainly one of the greatest tournaments we ever compete in, and to beat this field, where everybody was here, especially Stricker and [Jerry] Kelly on their home grounds, is a very special feeling."

Langer finished at 7-under 277, with only eight players breaking par for the week. He shattered the tournament age record set by Allen Doyle in 2006 at Prairie Dunes at 57 years, 11 months, 14 days.

"There are a lot more aches and pains than 10 years ago," Langer said. "I still enjoy the game. If I play like I did this week, I'm going to keep playing. There have been the odd week when I thought, 'What were you doing out here? Go home and play with the grandkids.'"

The two-time Masters champion has a record 13 victories since turning 60 and holds the top five spots on the oldest winners list. He has multiple victories in 11 straight seasons and 14 overall.

Also the 2010 U.S. Senior Open winner at Sahalee outside Seattle, Langer extended his record for senior major victories to 12. He won the Chubb Classic in Florida in February to tie Irwin.

Stricker -- from Madison, 100 miles to the south -- birdied three of the last five holes for a 69.

"It gives all of us hope, I guess, that are out here still playing that we can continue to play as good as he's played for such a long time," Stricker said about Langer. "It's really impressive. I knew he wasn't going to back off today."

Stricker won the first two senior majors of the year and took his hometown Madison event three weeks ago for his fourth Champions victory of the season.

"It seemed like I had a poor nine holes in there every day, and that just ended up costing me the tournament," Stricker said.

Kelly, also from Madison, was third at 4 under after a 71.

"I was way too amped up," Kelly said. "I was trying to be settled and calm, but I was talking more than I have all week. I was moving a little bit faster than I have all week."

Two shots ahead of Kelly entering the round, Langer birdied the first two holes for the second straight day.

Langer added a birdie on No. 5, then rounded from a bogey on No. 6 with birdie on No. 7. He opened the back nine with a birdie on the 10th, parred the next five and closed with the three straight bogeys.

"It was not easy," said Langer, who earned a spot next year in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. "My age probably showed up toward the end."

Brett Quigley (66) and Rob Labritz (69) tied for fourth at 2 under. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen (71), Steven Alker (65) and Dicky Pride (69) were 1 under.

"The rough was difficult and, as many fairways as I missed, I think I did OK," Goosen said. "I was like a cow out there just eating cabbage the whole time."

Langer, paired with Goosen the first two rounds, sacrificed distance for accuracy to stay out of the rough.

"I think that's one of the reasons I did so well. I didn't hit it in the rough very often," Langer said. "Took many 3-woods off the tees at times, but then I had to hit 3-wood into the green or a very long club. But I'd rather do that than hit driver and wedge it out from the rough."

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

65-year-old Bernhard Langer wins the US Senior Open to break the Champions’ victory record

Bernhard Langer, left, celebrates after sinking a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Stevens Point, Wis. (Tork Mason/The Post-Crescent via AP)

Bernhard Langer holds up the Francis D. Ouimet Trophy during the awards ceremony of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Stevens Point, Wis. (Tork Mason/The Post-Crescent via AP)

Bernhard Langer kisses the Francis D. Ouimet Trophy during the awards ceremony of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Stevens Point, Wis. (Tork Mason/The Post-Crescent via AP)

Bernhard Langer putts on the 12th green during the final round of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Stevens Point, Wis. (Tork Mason/The Post-Crescent via AP)

Steve Stricker, front left, acknowledges the crowd after finishing the final round of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Stevens Point, Wis. (Tork Mason/The Post-Crescent via AP)

Jerry Kelly pitches out of a greenside bunker on the 12th hole during the final round of the U.S. Senior Open golf tournament Sunday, July 2, 2023, in Stevens Point, Wis. (Tork Mason/The Post-Crescent via AP)

• Copy Link copied

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (AP) — Bernhard Langer won the U.S. Senior Open on Sunday at SentryWorld to break the PGA Tour Champions’ career victory record.

Pushing his record as the oldest winner on the 50-and-over tour to 65 years, 10 months, 5 days, the German star broke a tie with Hale Irwin for the victory mark with No. 46.

“I have my mother that’s going to be 100 on August 4th, so I think I have good genes,” Langer said. “Hopefully, I’ll be around a few more years.”

Seven strokes ahead on the back nine, Langer bogeyed the final three holes for 1-under 70 and a two-stroke victory over home-state favorite Steve Stricker on the tree-lined course with thick rough.

“Never thought it would happen at a U.S. Senior Open, but I’m very thrilled that the record of 46 wins happened this week,” Langer said. “It’s certainly one of the greatest tournaments we ever compete in, and to beat this field, where everybody was here, especially Stricker and (Jerry) Kelly on their home grounds, is a very special feeling.”

Langer finished at 7-under 277, with only eight players breaking par for the week. He shattered the tournament age record set by Allen Doyle in 2006 at Prairie Dunes at 57 years, 11 months, 14 days.

“There are a lot more aches and pains than 10 years ago,” Langer said. “I still enjoy the game. If I play like I did this week, I’m going to keep playing. There have been the odd week when I thought, `What were you doing out here? Go home and play with the grandkids.’”

The two-time Masters champion has a record 13 victories since turning 60 and holds the top five spots on the oldest- winners list. He has multiple victories in 11 straight seasons and 14 overall.

Also the 2010 U.S. Senior Open winner at Sahalee outside Seattle, Langer extended his record for senior major victories to 12. He won the Chubb Classic in Florida in February to tie Irwin.

Stricker — from Madison, 100 miles to the south — birdied three of the last five holes for a 69.

“It gives all of us hope, I guess, that are out here still playing that we can continue to play as good as he’s played for such a long time,” Stricker said about Langer. “It’s really impressive. I knew he wasn’t going to back off today.”

Stricker won the first two senior majors of the year and took his hometown Madison event three weeks ago for his fourth Champions victory of the season.

“It seemed like I had a poor nine holes in there every day, and that just ended up costing me the tournament,” Stricker said.

Kelly, also from Madison, was third at 4 under after a 71.

“I was way too amped up,” Kelly said. “I was trying to be settled and calm, but I was talking more than I have all week. I was moving a little bit faster than I have all week.”

Two shots ahead of Kelly entering the round, Langer birdied the first two holes for the second straight day.

Langer added a birdie on No. 5, then rounded from a bogey on No. 6 with birdie on No. 7. He opened the back nine with a birdie on the 10th, parred the next five and closed with the three straight bogeys.

“It was not easy,” said Langer, who earned a spot next year in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. “My age probably showed up toward the end.”

Brett Quigley (66) and Rob Labritz (69) tied for fourth at 2 under. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen (71), Steven Alker (65) and Dicky Pride (69) were 1 under.

“The rough was difficult and, as many fairways as I missed, I think I did OK,” Goosen said. “I was like a cow out there just eating cabbage the whole time.”

Langer, paired with Goosen the first two rounds, sacrificed distance for accuracy to stay out of the rough.

“I think that’s one of the reasons I did so well. I didn’t hit it in the rough very often,” Langer said. “Took many 3-woods off the tees at times, but then I had to hit 3-wood into the green or a very long club. But I’d rather do that than hit driver and wedge it out from the rough.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share by Email

Pinehurst #10 opened last week. Want to play it?

Bernhard Langer makes history with latest PGA Tour Champions win, reflects on improbable journey

Bernhard Langer tied Hale Irwin for most PGA Tour Champions titles of all time.

Getty Images

Even with the tournament in hand, meaning a historic win was within reach, Bernhard Langer didn’t slow down. Probably because, even at 65 years old, Langer just simply doesn’t know how to slow down.

With a two-shot lead in the middle of the 18th fairway at the Chubb Classic Sunday, Langer pulled driver off the deck and made birdie on the par-5 finisher to win the tournament by three. The win is No. 45 for the World Golf Hall-of-Famer , which moves him into a tie with Hale Irwin for the most PGA Tour Champions titles of all time. He also extended his own record for the oldest winner on the over-50 circuit (65 years, 5 months, 23 days).

In reflecting on the accomplishment, even Langer admitted he thought this win was unattainable.

The secret to Bernhard Langer’s remarkable longevity? This swing change

“It’s extremely special because we’ve been talking about it for so long it seems now,” Langer said. “When I first came out here, I thought, this is never going to happen. When I heard Hale Irwin had won 45 times, I’m going, this is awesome and amazing, and it still is and always will be.”

Langer admitted he wasn’t 100 percent sure of his position on the leaderboard while playing the 18th, leading to his decision to hit driver from the final fairway.

“I thought I had a one-shot lead and I needed to make par to win, and [my caddie] said, ‘You actually have a two-shot lead.’ And I said, ‘Well, I don’t trust leaderboards and all that,'” Langer said.

The birdie was the finishing touch of a 65 for Langer, the second time this week he shot, or bettered, his age after opening his title defense at Tiburon Golf Club with a 64.

He began the day with a one-shot lead over four others but was caught and passed early in the round. But the back nine was all Langer — he made five birdies while Padraig Harrington made a double and Dicky Pride bogeyed the final two holes. A 30-footer on 17 for birdie essentially sealed the victory.

Superhuman Bernhard Langer breaks own record (again!), explains longevity

Langer became emotional when reflecting on the significance of the achievement, but admitted it still hasn’t set in.

“It will in the next few hours and days,” Langer said. “Just right now, I just feel relieved and grateful and thankful for everybody that’s been on my team and helping me through these years.

“For a German kid from a village of 800 people and starting as a caddie to do what I’ve done, it takes a lot of people to do that, not just one.”

Langer, who grew up self-taught on the golf course, was asked if his journey to this record was improbable.

“My whole life is an improbable story,” he said. “When you dive deep a little bit where I came from and what has happened in my lifetime, where I should have died as a kid, was extremely high fever, the doctors gave up on me — well, first of all, they told my mother not to have another child because when she got pregnant anyways. They told her to abort me, which she decided not to take the chance of killing herself and me, so we all survived.

“To make it just to earn a living was an incredible story, but then to make it to No. 1 in the world and to become one of the best players for many years, and what happened on the Champions Tour, we all know that, but a lot of stuff has happened in those earlier years that some people have no clue, and they were pretty miraculous.

“Maybe someday we can make a movie about it. It would be pretty cool.”

Latest In News

3 surprisingly emotional scenes from masters press conferences, this little-known masters keepsake is a favorite of champions' wives, masters anticipation and yearly traditions at augusta | seen and heard at augusta day 3, why tiger woods' masters might have just gotten a whole lot tougher.

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at [email protected] .

• Author Facebook Account
• Author Twitter Account
• Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Pickleball injuries at…the masters we can explain, what keeps this 76-year-old caddie going these 5 words, with another victory in his sights, padraig harrington reveals his specific game plan to win, padraig harrington sees ‘disconnect, confusion’ in modern coaching, this mexico resort will host golf legends in new november tournament, out of prison, angel cabrera playing tour-sanctioned event, but masters unclear, stephen ames wins 7th pga tour champions title at weather-shortened chubb classic, padraig harrington reveals source of his 'second lease on life', bernhard langer’s fix for golf’s distance fight bigger golf balls and holes.

• Upcoming venues
• JOIN ONE CLUB ONE CLUB
• My One Club

Haven't got an account? Register now

Accepting all cookies will ensure you have the best experience possible when visiting TheOpen.com.

Some of these cookies are necessary to make our site work, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.

• Turned Pro 1972
• Previous Opens 5

Bernhard Langer

Performances.

Langer earned another exemption for The Open in 2021 thanks to a record fourth Senior Open victory at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2019, and also following a brilliant top-30 finish at the Masters of November 2020, where he became the oldest player to ever make the halfway cut. However, he ultimately opted against competing at Royal St George's as he prioritised the senior Major Championships.

His 11 senior majors - also a record – have followed Masters victories in 1985 and 1993 and 10 Ryder Cup appearances.

He made his Open debut in 1976 as an 18-year-old before twice finishing as runner-up, to Bill Rogers at Royal St George’s in 1981 and Seve Ballesteros at St Andrews three years later. Langer has also finished third at The Open four times, including on further visits to Sandwich in 1986 and 1993.

His 42 European Tour victories, second only to Ballesteros, spanned 22 years, while he captained Europe for their 2004 Ryder Cup victory in America.

Langer’s Senior Open titles include a remarkable 13-stroke win over Colin Montgomerie at Royal Porthcawl in 2014. He has won well over 100 tournaments and was elected into golf’s Hall of Fame in 2001, before being awarded an honorary OBE five years later.

His first victory at Augusta National came in 1985 by two strokes from Ballesteros, Ray Floyd and Curtis Strange, then in 1993 he finished four clear of Chip Beck. He was the first official world No. 1 in 1986.

More on The Open

Player profile

Bernhard LANGER

Date of birth

Exemption category

Wins and Results

Tournament results.

DP World Tour Partners

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Bernhard Langer, a Masters Stalwart for 40 Years, Sits This One Out

He first played in the tournament in 1982 and has won it twice, but a pickleball injury, of all things, has him sidelined.

By Paul Sullivan

Bernhard Langer was set to play in his final Masters Tournament this week. He first played there in 1982, when he was cut, and he has missed only the 2011 Masters, because of a thumb injury , since he won his first in 1985.

This year’s event was supposed to be a valedictory for a player, who, at 66, had also won the tournament in 1993 and contended in the final round as recently as 2020, when he finished tied for 29th. That put him a stroke ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning United States Open champion at the time, who consistently out-drove Langer by about 100 yards all week.

Instead, the perennially fit Langer was felled by something that has likely taken down some of his Florida neighbors who aren’t two-time Masters champions: a pickleball injury.

It could have been worse, he said in an interview in March. A neighbor who is a foot and ankle surgeon ran over when he saw Langer drop to the ground and sent Langer for an M.R.I. He had torn his Achilles’ tendon, and the doctor got him into a stabilizing boot so he wouldn’t injure his foot further.

“I started rehab three days after surgery,” he said.

It’s a tough way for a golf great to go down. But the more remarkable feat might be that Langer lasted this long at this level. While aging rockers like the Rolling Stones can just keep replaying their hits, golfers have to continue producing exceptional shots against players a third their age.

He’s done it at the Masters. He’s also done it on the PGA Tour Champions, where players in their early 50s usually dominate when they first play after the PGA Tour. He has won more tournaments on the Champions tour than any other player; he has also set a record for the most senior major titles, at 12.

How has he kept going this long at such a high level?

“I was always into fitness,” he said. “In my younger days I did more cardio stuff and other sports that kept me in good shape. When I moved to America in the 1980s, I got used to going to fitness centers, lifting weight, etc. In my generation, not all of us were great athletes. Many players would spend more time in the bar after a round than on the range or the putting green.”

As he got older his workouts changed and his focus shifted more to maintaining his flexibility and his strength. But that’s not to say he always found them enjoyable: “Workouts are a lot of tedious time,” he said.

In addition to keeping fit, though, Langer said he had continued to work on the mental side of his game. Part of that involves knowing what he can do and what he can’t do.

“I have to play a game Bernhard Langer can play,” he said. “I have to know my strengths and weaknesses. I cannot hit a 1-iron 250 yards in the air and make it stop on a dime. I have to play my game.”

He credits this with letting him stay competitive at the Masters against younger, longer-hitting players, like Tiger Woods.

“They said Tiger was intimidating when he first came out,” Langer said. “I didn’t think he was intimidating as a person. I thought his length was intimidating, but I always played the course. It’s not who you play against. You really play against yourself or the golf course.”

While Langer’s contemporaries marvel at his dedication, some are also right there with him in the fitness trailer.

“Langer is ageless,” said Scott McCarron , 58, another standout among Champions tour players. McCarron was fit in his prime and has since become stronger and more muscled on the over-50 tour. It’s paid off. When he won the Senior Players Championship in 2017, he received an invitation to play in the Players Championship on the PGA Tour.

“The fitness world on the Champions tour has skyrocketed,” he said. “Just about every guy is working out. There are so many more guys working out and stretching than ever before. On the PGA Tour you don’t think about the end. On the Champions tour you know there’s an end. Is it 55 or 58?”

While the Champions tour events have three rounds instead of the four on the PGA Tour, the players are indeed working hard.

“We’re still playing 27 weeks a year, and I’m hitting balls just the same,” McCarron said. “The old thing when you go out and play and drink beers after that, that’s not it anymore.

“At 58, I’m hitting the ball farther than I ever had,” he added. “Some of it is the equipment, but I’m in better shape and swinging the club faster, which isn’t the equipment.”

Some older players like Stewart Cink, Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington are also hitting the ball as far as they ever did and also occasionally contending on the PGA Tour.

Langer’s dominance of the Champions tour is the result of fitness, competitive grit and an ability to hit shots under pressure again and again. There, though, he was playing against many players much younger than him.

At the Masters, his success also has been knowing the course for 40 years. “In the hundreds of rounds I’ve played there I’ve learned a lot about the course,” he said. “I know where to go and where not to go. I know to miss it here or there. I’ve learned it from others or playing it before. That keeps me from shooting a very high score.”

But, Langer, who will be at the Champions Dinner for past Masters winners this year, added, “Where I used to hit an 8 iron, now I hit a 3 iron [a club that hits the ball lower and farther]. The course is way longer. I’m hitting way longer clubs into every hole. I enjoy the challenge.”

As for next year being his final appearance, Langer wouldn’t say. “I haven’t decided it yet,” he said. “We’ll come to that decision in a little while.”

Paul Sullivan , the  Wealth Matters  columnist from 2008 to 2021, is the founder of  The Company of Dads , a work and parenting site aimed at fathers. He is also the author of  The Thin Green Line : The Money Secrets of the Super Wealthy and  Clutch : Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t.  @sullivanpaul More about Paul Sullivan

Inside the World of Sports

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping professional, collegiate and amateur athletics..

Minor League Baseball’s Real Estate: The fight over a new stadium for the Eugene Emeralds  highlights a wider challenge for cheaper alternatives to big-league live sports.

New York’s Favorite Soccer Team: Some people splurge on vacations, fancy shoes and motorcycles. A group of dozens of friends, neighbors and co-workers decided to try something better (or maybe worse): They bought a middling soccer team in Denmark .

Here Comes Padel: The sport is played with a racket on a court with a net, but watch out for those bouncing shots from the back wall. Reporters take a look at the padel scene in New York City .

Have the Brands Gone Too Far?: Runners at the Boston Marathon are disappointed that the new finisher medals feature a large bank logo  across the bottom.

How Soccer Embraced Ramadan: In competitions like the Premier League, Muslim pros who once faced pressure to avoid daily fasts  during the monthlong holiday now benefit from custom diets and in-game breaks.

Advertisement

Bernhard langer, recovering from torn achilles, confirms 2025 will now be his final masters, share this article.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bernhard Langer confirmed Tuesday that 2025 will be his final Masters Tournament.

The 66-year-old tore his Achilles tendon on Feb. 1, and had previously announced that 2024 would be his last competitive appearance.

“I plan to play next year,” Langer, the 1985 and 1993 Masters winner, said Tuesday. “That’ll be my last.”

When Langer steps away, it’ll stamp a final goodbye to champions from the 1980s.

Jack Nicklaus was the first 1980s victor to cease competing in 2005, while Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle stopped in 2023.

At 48-years-old, Nick Faldo exited the stage in 2006 to commentate for CBS. “My decision was easy,” Faldo said. “It was a cold, windy day (in 2006) and I had my son on the bag. I hit driver at the ninth hole and didn’t make it down the hill. So I’m hitting 3-iron into the wind and thought, ‘That’s it. I’m done.’”

Prior to his injury, Langer had faired well at Augusta lately, making the cut in 2020, while missing the weekend by two shots in 2023.

Still, Faldo believes the German is making the right call.

“Bernhard’s done an incredible job staying on top,” Faldo said. “But as time goes on, we start to lose touch, and you can’t play Augusta without touch.”

As for 1990s champs, four past winners have already ceased competing, including Faldo (1989, 1990, 1996), Ian Woosnam (1991), Ben Crenshaw (1984 and 1995) and Mark O’Meara (1998).

In the timeline of champions, Fred Couples would be next to depart, but the 1992 winner hasn’t announced plans to give notice.

After all, in 2023, Couples, then 63, became the oldest player to conquer the cut.

“I can’t compete with Viktor Hovland or Jon Rahm or anybody, but I can compete with myself, and that’s really why I come,” Couples said. “That’s what I like to do: make the cut here at an older age.”

Couples added: “The last thing I want to do is embarrass myself. I know I can hit the ball. What is that? I don’t know if that’s a 73 or 75, but I’m not shooting 80. There’s no way. I’m just not that kind of person.”

When Langer steps away next April, it will duplicate his contemporaries, in that no champion from the 1980s missed the cut more than 10 straight years before quitting.

In contrast, 1957 winner Doug Ford, either missed the cut or withdrew in each of his final 30 appearances.

“I’m not coming up the last at 18 over,” Faldo said. “When CBS called, I went straight to the tower.”

When 1980s champions played their last Masters

• 1980, 1983 Seve Ballesteros — 2007
• 1981 Tom Watson — 2016
• 1982 Craig Stadler — 2014
• 1984 Ben Crenshaw — 2015
• 1985 Bernhard Langer — 2025
• 1986 Jack Nicklaus — 2005
• 1987 Larry Mize — 2023
• 1988 Sandy Lyle — 2023
• 1989 Nick Faldo — 2006

Check out the latest from Augusta with our live Masters leaderboard and coverage .

Most Popular

Social media reacts to jason day's pants at 2024 masters that would make mc hammer proud, photos: all the cute kids at the masters 2024 par 3 contest at augusta national, photos: masters 2024 par 3 contest at augusta national, meet the 13 liv golf players competing at the 2024 masters at augusta national, bryson dechambeau leading masters using 3-d printed irons only approved by usga on monday, masters 2024 live updates: bryson dechambeau, scottie scheffler updates, follow tiger woods thursday at masters 2024 with shot-by-shot updates from augusta national.

Follow Playing Through online:

• Follow Playing Through on Twitter
• Follow Playing Through on Instagram
• Follow Playing Through on Facebook

Site search

• Champions Tour
• DP World Tour
• Latest News

Filed under:

• Masters Tournament
• Golf Majors

Masters: The 5 best tournaments at Augusta National, ranked

What have been the best Masters Tournaments over the years at Augusta National? Let’s rank the top five.

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Masters: The 5 best tournaments at Augusta National, ranked

This year marks the 88th Masters Tournament at Augusta National .

There have been many memorable events , but what are some of the best?

Depending on the patron's age, the five best tournaments will vary.

Some may want to include older players like Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Jack Burke, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and maybe even Gene Sarazen.

However, when there are 88 years to go through, some legends will not make the list.

There have been far too many top performances from current PGA Tour and even LIV Golf players to leave them out.

The Masters thrives off tradition and keeping golf as a gentleman's sport. It is the first major championship of the year and one of the most anticipated weeks for players and fans alike.

Everyone's top 5 will be different, but we went for memorable and legendary moments from The Masters .

Here is Playing Through's Best 5 Masters Tournaments.

5. Bubba Watson's 2012 Masters Win — The Impossible Shot

When people mention Bubba Watson's first Green Jacket, their minds immediately go to the hook shot with a pitching wedge. It was an impossible shot, but Watson made it look easy. What makes it more interesting is that the former Georgia Bulldog did it in a playoff against Louis Oosthuizen.

Watson hooked his shot from the pine straw around the trees and set himself up for a two-putt to don the Green Jacket.

He would win his second title at Augusta National in 2014. However, that first one will forever be burned in golf fans' minds because of that mind-blowing shot. There is even a plaque where he hit the ball to show off how crazy it was.

4. Phil Mickelson's 2004 Masters victory

Phil Mickelson's iconic spread eagle celebration is another moment from Augusta National cemented into people's brains. Lefty took down Ernie Els by making two birdies in his last three holes.

He sank an 18-foot birdie putt that nearly gave him a heart attack as it curled around the hole before falling into the cup. Mickelson gave his signature thumbs up to the patrons, and his smile showed off his excitement.

After 46 major championship appearances, he finally won the illustrious Green Jacket. Mickelson shot a final-round 69 to post a 9-under total and win by one stroke.

3. Jack Nicklaus' 6th Green Jacket

To have a Top 5 list of best Masters, Jack Nicklaus' sixth Green Jacket has to be on there. No one else has won that many at Augusta National. Nicklaus earned his final Masters title in 1986 over some heavy hitters.

Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Tom Kite and Tom Watson were all ahead of Nicklaus on Championship Sunday.

The front nine was uneventful for him, but the Golden Bear kicked it up a notch once he made the turn.

Nicklaus came home in 30 strokes with one bogey, five birdies, and the iconic eagle on the 15th.

At 46, he posted a final round 7-under 65 to get to 9-under on the tournament and win by a shot.

2. Tiger Woods' 5th Green Jacket

Another incredible comeback at Augusta National came in 2019 when Tiger Woods won his fifth Green Jacket at 43 years of age. A 2-under 70 on Sunday allowed him to win by one stroke over Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele.

After the comeback was complete, Tiger pulled his son Charlie into his arms and embraced him, giving golf fans an instant classic moment.

Tiger was tied or in the lead after 54 holes of his previous 14 major wins. For his fifth Green Jacket, he trailed Francesco Molinari by two shots and made history.

It was one of the most emotional finishes in recent memory as the world saw him playing like his old self. Woods moves the needle , but this victory is special to him as his lore continues.

1. Tiger Woods' 1997 12-stroke victory

While the fifth Green Jacket was one of the best moments in Masters history, Tiger Woods' first title at Augusta National was even more impressive. It set the tone for his career and warned the rest of professional golf what kind of workhorse had arrived on the PGA Tour.

At 21-years-old, Woods didn't start the 61st Masters Tournament well. Through the first 16 holes, the phenom struggled. However, after a conversation with Mark O'Meara, a flip switched.

O'Meara's words of encouragement sparked one of the most mind-blowing performances ever at Augusta National.

Woods went 22-under par over his last 63 holes.

He set 20 Masters Tournament records, including the then scoring record of 18-under par. Woods was also the youngest to win this event until Jordan Spieth surpassed that in 2015.

The Big Cat won by a record 12 shots, leaving the field in the dust, which is why it's the best Masters Tournament ever.

Which five Masters are the best, in your opinion? Sound off in the comments below.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.

Next Up In Golf

• Gary Player posts yet another heartfelt message from Masters as elder statesman
• Wyndham Clark takes veiled shot at LIV Golf after “hard day” at The Masters
• Tiger Woods’ stunning Masters assessment of conditions, explains going lefty
• Scottie Scheffler “mission accomplished” at Masters amid unreal bogey-free round
• Rory McIlroy details “wasteful” yet “scrappy” Masters round at Augusta National
• Jon Rahm’s blunt 3-word reaction to disappointing Masters round

Loading comments...

Sign up for the newsletter sign up for the playing through daily roundup newsletter, thanks for signing up.

Check your inbox for a welcome email.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

When 1980s winners played their last Masters after Bernhard Langer announcement

Bernhard Langer confirmed Tuesday that 2025 will be his final Masters Tournament. 

The 66-year-old tore his Achilles tendon on Feb. 1, and had announced that 2024 would be his last competitive appearance.

“I plan to play next year,” said Langer, the 1985 and 1993 Masters winner. “That’ll be my last.”

When Langer steps away, it’ll stamp a final goodbye to champions from the 1980s.

Tee times: When does Tiger Woods play at the Masters? Tee times on Thursday, Friday for full field

Jack Nicklaus was the first 1980s victor to cease competing in 2005, while Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle stopped in 2023.

At 48-years-old, Nick Faldo exited the stage in 2006 to commentate for CBS. 

“My decision was easy,” Faldo said. “It was a cold, windy day (in 2006) and I had my son on the bag. I hit driver at the ninth hole and didn’t make it down the hill. So I’m hitting 3-iron into the wind and thought, ‘That’s it. I’m done.’”

Prior to his injury, Langer had faired well at Augusta lately, making the cut in 2020, while missing the weekend by two shots in 2023.

Still, Faldo believes the West German is making the right call.

“Bernhard’s done an incredible job staying on top,” Faldo said. “But as time goes on, we start to lose touch, and you can’t play Augusta without touch.”

As for 1990s champs, four past winners have already ceased competing, including Faldo (1989, 1990, 1996), Ian Woosnam (1991), Ben Crenshaw (1984 and 1995) and Mark O’Meara (1998).

In the timeline of champions, Fred Couples would be next to depart, but the 1992 winner hasn’t announced plans to give notice.

After all, in 2023, Couples, then 63, became the oldest player to conquer the cut.

“I can’t compete with Viktor Hovland or Jon Rahm or anybody, but I can compete with myself, and that’s really why I come,” Couples said. “That’s what I like to do — make the cut here at an older age.”

Couples added: “The last thing I want to do is embarrass myself. I know I can hit the ball. What is that? I don’t know if that’s a 73 or 75, but I’m not shooting 80. There’s no way. I’m just not that kind of person.”

When Langer steps away next April, it will duplicate his contemporaries, in that no champion from the 1980s missed the cut more than 10-straight years before quitting. 

In contrast, 1957 winner Doug Ford, either missed the cut or withdrew in each of his final 30 appearances.

“I’m not coming up the last at 18-over,” Faldo said. “When CBS called, I went straight to the tower.”

When 1980s champions played their last Masters

1980, 1983 Seve Ballesteros — 2007

1981 Tom Watson — 2016

1982 Craig Stadler — 2014

1984 Ben Crenshaw — 2015

1985 Bernhard Langer — 2025

1986 Jack Nicklaus — 2005

1987 Larry Mize — 2023

1988 Sandy Lyle — 2023

1989 Nick Faldo — 2006

These 10 surprising golfers will miss the 2024 Masters

M ost of ’em will be there. That’s the biggest takeaway from this list - even in golf’s divided modern era, a majority of the guys you’d expect to see at the 2024 Masters will be there. That means top LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith, whose recent major championships have them exempt. That means past Masters winners like Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson. Even Joaquin Niemann, who wasn’t otherwise exempt, received a special invitation from Augusta National ahead of this year’s tournament. Most of the usual suspects will be in town.

Just not quite all of ’em. The gang isn’t all here. There’s a list of pros you’re used to seeing at the Masters who won’t be here. Let’s run through 10 of ’em.

1. Talor Gooch

Surprising because: He’s one of the more talented players who left the PGA Tour for LIV. He’s also been one of the more outspoken. Gooch was LIV’s player of the year in 2023 and went so far as to say in February that a Masters won without some of the LIV players would have “an asterisk” - a comment that has earned him a fair amount of online derision.

Not playing because: His world ranking dropped too far to retain eligibility. Gooch has played primarily LIV events over the past year, he didn’t play well enough at last years Masters (T34) to earn a return invitation and he’s now No. 550 in the world. While several top LIV peers have a green jacket or recent major exemption to fall back on, Gooch does not. Does this Masters have an asterisk as a result of his omission? I’ll let you decide.

2. Dean Burmester

Surprising because: He’s one of LIV’s hottest players, sure - but he’s also seen success outside the LIV grid in recent months. Burmester won back-to-back DP World Tour titles in South Africa at the end of 2023, boosting his reputation and world ranking. Just not enough to qualify for this year’s Masters.

Not playing because: This weekend’s LIV title did nothing for his Masters eligibility. And while his DP wins got him inside the top 80 in the world, he didn’t crack the top 50 by year’s end and thus remained outside the qualifying window.

3. Louis Oosthuizen

Surprising because: Over the course of the last 15 years, there aren’t many pros who have put together better major championship resumes than Louis Oosthuizen. In 2021 alone he posted three top-3 finishes.

Not playing because: He, too, has dropped in world ranking; Oosthuizen is now No. 118. He withdrew from last year’s Masters. And his recent high finishes in majors have only earned him exemptions for the following year. Those have now run out, and Oosthuizen’s streak of consecutive Masters will end at 15.

4. Bernhard Langer

Surprising because: Bernhard Langer plays the Masters every year. Like, every year. This was supposed to be his 41st and final Masters.

Not playing because: Pickleball. Langer’s Masters return got derailed thanks to an Achilles tear while playing pickleball .

5. Angel Cabrera

Surprising because: When Angel Cabrera was released from prison in late 2023, the golf world wondered whether he’d make his return to Augusta National for this year’s Masters. He’d been sentenced in July 2021 for threats and harassment of his partner, but the 2009 Masters champ remains eligible. Augusta’s chairman Fred Ridley said that, should Cabrera work through his visa issues, he’d be able to compete. Cabrera also retained status on the PGA Tour Champions.

Not playing because: His visa was denied. Golfweek reported in March that the visa had been “temporarily declined” Cabrera’s agent confirmed that Cabrera won’t be participating in an email to the publication.

6. Kevin Kisner

Surprising because: He’s Kevin Kisner! Just two years ago he was on the U.S. Presidents Cup team. He’s played in every Masters since 2015. He’s played in every major championship since then, too. And last year he made headlines with a remarkably honest description of his driver woes en route to a missed cut at Augusta.

Not playing because: He just hasn’t been playing very good golf. Kisner doesn’t have a top-50 PGA Tour finish in over a year, he stepped away from competition for a while and is among those who has been serving as lead analyst for NBC broadcasts.

7. Harold Varner III

Surprising because: He finished inside the top 30 at last year’s Masters and remains one of the better-known pros on the planet.

Not playing because: While his top-30 finish was respectable, only the top 12 competitors get invited back for this year. Varner has plummeted to No. 466, so he’s out.

Sidenote: While we’re at it, let’s run through a list of the other LIV names you might have in mind - fixtures on Ryder Cups and major championships. That means these guys are missing, too:

European Ryder Cup stars: Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood

LIV pros who played last year: Mito Pereira, Abraham Ancer, Thomas Pieters, Kevin Na, Jason Kokrak

Other notables: Charles Howell III, Anthony Kim, Marc Leishman, Matthew Wolff, Carlos Ortiz

8. Billy Horschel

Surprising because: Like Kisner, Horschel was on the 2022 U.S. Presidents Cup team. Like Kisner, he’s struggled since then. Still, I would have expected Horschel to rank high enough to qualify for this year’s Masters.

Not playing because: While he’s been playing better of late, finishing inside the top 12 in three of his most recent five starts, he came up just short of the end-of-year OWGR cutoff and remains outside the top 80 in the world.

9 and 10. Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize

Surprising because: Larry Mize won the Masters in 1987. Sandy Lyle won the Masters in 1988. They’ve been Masters fixtures since then.

Not playing because: Both Mize and Lyle declared that 2023 would be their final Masters tournament. Mize, 64 at the time, declared the golf course had just gotten too long. He hadn’t made the cut since 2017 and was at peace with the decision.

As for Lyle? At age 65 he decided it was time to step away from pro golf altogether. His Masters career had a particularly memorable ending , too: On Friday last year, play was called due to weather with Lyle just 12 feet from the hole at No. 18.

How’d he spend that Friday night, preparing for his final strokes?

"A lot of tequila and a bit of whisky tasting at about 1 o'clock this morning," he said.

Come Saturday morning he two-putted from the fringe. He did some interviews. And then he returned to the green to watch Mize finish up; they embraced on the 18th green.

They won’t be back at this year’s Masters. But that puts them in talented company.

The post These 10 surprising golfers will miss the 2024 Masters appeared first on Golf .

• Skip to Navigation
• Skip to Main Content
• Skip to Related Content
• Today's news
• Climate change
• My portfolio
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most actives
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily Fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• College football
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

Entertainment

• How To Watch
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Style and beauty
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides
• Privacy Dashboard

• Masters Tournament
• Yahoo Sports AM
• Motorsports
• College Sports
• Fantasy Sports
• Horse Racing
• Leaderboard
• O.J. Simpson altered America
• Kentucky reportedly will hire BYU coach Pope
• Tiger still a legend at Augusta
• Ohtani interpreter: 5 surprises in complaint
• Our voter's official NBA awards picks

Bernhard Langer forced to delay Masters farewell until 2025

Golf legend Bernhard Langer has confirmed he now expects to play the Masters for the final time in 2025 after the two-time champion’s original plan for a swansong this week was cruelly dashed after he suffered a torn Achilles in February.

The 66-year-old German picked up the injury playing pickleball and has been forced to miss significant time, sparking a change in plans regarding how he will say goodbye to Augusta National .

“Most likely, but I haven’t announced it yet,” Langer said when asked by Reuters if the 2025 edition would be his final Masters start. “I hope so, but it all depends how the recovery is going.”

In January, Langer announced that the 2024 Masters would be his last but that was before the injury setback. He still travelled to Augusta this week and took part in the Champions Dinner on Tuesday, hosted this year by defending champion Jon Rahm.

Langer, who took time to sign autographs for the hordes of patrons near the first tee, said things are trending in the right direction with regards to his recovery and that he has not had any setbacks.

“Recovery is going great, I am two months after surgery and should be back in action in another two months or so,” said Langer.

Langer has made 40 Masters appearances and his two triumphs at Augusta highlight a hall-of-fame career that also includes 10 European Ryder Cup teams and over 60 worldwide wins.

He won his first green jacket in 1985 when he rallied from a four-stroke deficit in the final round and birdied four of the last seven holes to beat Curtis Strange, Seve Ballesteros and Raymond Floyd by two shots.

He triumphed again eight years later when he made a decisive eagle on the 13th hole and cruised to a four-stroke victory over Chip Beck.

This year’s Masters begins this afternoon with a number of European stars looking to emulate his achievement of winning the green jacket.

Additional reporting by Reuters

Recommended Stories

Masters: opening round likely to be delayed as heavy rain, storms expected at augusta national.

After Thursday, the weather for the rest of the weekend should be perfect in Augusta.

Masters: Tiger Woods, contender or pretender, it doesn't matter at Augusta

Tiger Woods may not be what he once was, but his legion of fans is still enthralled with him at Augusta.

Masters: Scottie Scheffler underprepared for parenthood but in contention for a 2nd green jacket

The world No. 1 is just one stroke back after Round 1 of the Masters.

Masters: LIV Golf is coming for all the majors, with Greg Norman cheering them on — invited or not

Bryson DeChambeau leads the Masters — and the charge of LIV Golf.

Kentucky reportedly finalizing deal with BYU coach Mark Pope to replace John Calipari

Mark Pope holds a 110-52 record at BYU. He has never won an NCAA tournament game.

2024 NFL Draft: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels among prospects set to attend

It looks like Michigan's J.J. McCarthy will stay home, despite receiving an invite back in February.

2024 Masters first round live updates: Bryson DeChambeau grabs lead, Tiger Woods sits 1-under when Round 1 was suspended

Round 1 of the 88th Masters is begins today. Stick here for live updates throughout the day.

Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal: Piecing together the timeline with Ippei Mizuhara facing federal charge

A lot went down before Ippei Mizuhara was charged.

2024 NBA Awards: Official picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year and every individual honor

With the 2023-24 NBA season coming to an end, here's one voter's award ballot, breaking down the top candidates — and declaring the winners.

Draft Deep Dive: WRs part 2 + Harmon reveals favorite deep sleepers

Matt Harmon and the Yahoo Fantasy pod are back with part two of our 'Draft Deep Dive' series on the wide receivers. Charles McDonald and Harmon look at the Texas and Washington WRs as well as identify their favorite deep sleepers on day two and three of the draft.

Shohei Ohtani scandal: The 5 most surprising revelations of Ippei Mizuhara's criminal complaint

Ippei Mizuhara allegedly stole $16 million to help pay for his gambling habit that included 19,000 illegal bets.

Draft rumor BS meter + Xavier Worthy: does WR speed matter? | Inside Coverage

Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein to dive into the how and why of the biggest news around the league this week. The trio start with the news of O.J. Simpson's passing and why it's hard to put a bow on his story and legacy. Rashee Rice has a warrant out for his arrest, and Charles thinks the league could be looking to issue a suspension. In other news, Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen received a massive contract extension, as the Jaguars are betting Allen can be a perennial DPOY candidate. Jori is writing a piece on WR draft prospect Xavier Worthy, who broke the 40-yard dash record, so the trio discuss the how the value of speed has changed among evaluators over the past few decades. Many call for GPS data to replace 40 testing, but the technology is not standardized among all schools, which presents the question of how the NFL will go about enforcing standardization of GPS tracking. The hosts finish out the show by getting to the bottom of some rumors circling around the 2024 NFL Draft by determining which to believe, and which are bologna. They discuss Drake Maye, Malik Nabers, JJ McCarthy, Jayden Daniels and Jim Harbaugh.

NFL Draft primer: Rams finally have a first-rounder again

What does Los Angeles need in this month's NFL Draft? How many picks do they have? We break it down right here.

MLS has failed Lionel Messi and Inter Miami with its glacial pace of change

For all of Major League Soccer's growth, for all its stated global ambition, it still lags on its own continent.

The 2024 Masters: Why isn't Tiger Woods a member at Augusta National?

As a winner of the Masters, Tiger Woods is an honorary member of Augusta National. Will he get an invite to be a full member, like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer?

Formula 1: Fernando Alonso re-signs with Aston Martin through 2026

Alonso, 42, was set to be a free agent at the end of the season.

Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio is well on his way to becoming the face of the franchise

In the big leagues with a long-term deal at just 20 years old, Chourio is "going to be even better than he already is."

Fantasy Baseball Weekend Preview: Streamer rankings and two available saves sources

Fantasy baseball analyst Fred Zinkie shares a couple of pieces of strategy to help ensure a dominant end to Week 2 of the season.

2024 NFL Draft: Top 10 edge rushers are pick-your-flavor class with Alabama, Penn State lean

There's no one standout pass rusher from this year's group, but plenty of styles for teams to pick from in the draft.

Paolo Banchero and his quest to keep reaching new heights

Banchero became an All-Star for the first time this season, but with the Magic in the playoffs, he has his sights set on bigger things.

Masters winners: Who has won the most Green Jackets at Augusta National?

Editor's note: Follow live coverage of the Masters, leaderboard, highlights and more.

Tiger Woods still has his sights set on catching the Golden Bear.

Woods, a five-time Masters champion , is looking to make his fifth attempt to match Jack Nicklaus' record of six Green Jackets when he tees it up this year at Augusta National Golf Club.

The 88th Masters Tournament gets underway on Thursday, April 11, at the storied course in Augusta, Georgia.

From the moment the legendary Bobby Jones found the gorgeous parcel of land, hired legendary course designer Alister MacKenzie and established the first "Augusta National Invitation Tournament," what later became known as The Masters has been the site of some of golf's most memorable moments.

Here's a look at some of the many golfers who have made The Masters so special:

Who has won most Masters titles?

• Jack Nicklaus leads the way with six Masters victories. He won his first Green Jacket in 1963. Nicklaus won back-to-back titles in 1965 and 1966, prevailed again in 1972 and 1975, then pulled off one of golf's greatest final-round comebacks in 1986.
• Tiger Woods is second with five Masters titles. Woods burst onto the scene as a 21-year-old in 1997, winning that year by a record 12 strokes. He also claimed consecutive titles in 2001 and 2002, added another in 2005, and authored a career comeback of his own by winning for the fifth time in 2019.
• Arnold Palmer is right behind with four Masters championships (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964).
• Tied with three Masters wins: Jimmy Demaret , Gary Player , Sam Snead , Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson .

Back-to-back Masters winners

In addition to Jack Nicklaus (1965, 1966) and Tiger Woods (2001, 2002), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) is the only other golfer to successfully defend his Masters title.

Best players to never win The Masters

The golfer with the most major titles that doesn't include The Masters is Walter Hagen with 11. Hagen won the British Open four times, U.S. Open twice and the PGA Championship five times from 1914-29.

Bobby Jones and Harry Vardon each won seven majors, but those all came before the first Masters in 1934.

Lee Trevino won the British Open, U.S. Open and PGA twice each, but never donned the Green Jacket at Augusta.

Perhaps the most famous non-winner at Augusta is Greg Norman. The Australian was the foil to Nicklaus' miraculous comeback in 1986, losing by one stroke. The following year, he lost in a three-way playoff with Seve Ballesteros and eventual champion Larry Mize. His greatest disappointment at Augusta came in 1996, when he began the final round with a six-stroke lead, but shot a 6-over 78 and finished second to Nick Faldo.

Among active golfers, Brooks Koepka (5 majors) and Rory McIlroy (4 majors) are the most prominent players who have yet to win at Augusta National.

Who won the 2023 Masters?

Jon Rahm became just the second Spanish player to win two different majors, joining Seve Ballesteros, when he won last year's Masters.

Rahm, who entered the final round trailing Brooks Koepka by two strokes, shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish 12-under for the tournament and claim his Green Jacket. It was Rahm's first Masters win and second major tournament victory, the first coming at the 2021 U.S. Open.

Masters winners, year by year

• 2023  Jon Rahm
• 2022  Scottie Scheffler
• 2021  Hideki Matsuyama
• 2020  Dustin Johnson
• 2019  Tiger Woods
• 2018  Patrick Reed
• 2017  Sergio Garcia
• 2016  Danny Willett
• 2015  Jordan Spieth
• 2014  Bubba Watson
• 2013  Adam Scott
• 2012  Bubba Watson
• 2011  Charl Schwartzel
• 2010  Phil Mickelson
• 2009  Angel Cabrera
• 2008  Trevor Immelman
• 2007  Zach Johnson
• 2006  Phil Mickelson
• 2005  Tiger Woods
• 2004  Phil Mickelson
• 2003  Mike Weir
• 2002  Tiger Woods
• 2001  Tiger Woods
• 2000  Vijay Singh
• 1999  Jose Maria Olazabal
• 1998  Mark O'Meara
• 1997  Tiger Woods
• 1996  Nick Faldo
• 1995  Ben Crenshaw
• 1994  Jose Maria Olazabal
• 1993  Bernhard Langer
• 1992  Fred Couples
• 1991  Ian Woosnam
• 1990  Nick Faldo
• 1989  Nick Faldo
• 1988  Sandy Lyle
• 1987  Larry Mize
• 1986  Jack Nicklaus
• 1985  Bernhard Langer
• 1984  Ben Crenshaw
• 1983  Seve Ballesteros
• 1982  Craig Stadler
• 1981  Tom Watson
• 1980  Seve Ballesteros
• 1979  Fuzzy Zoeller
• 1978  Gary Player
• 1977  Tom Watson
• 1976  Raymond Floyd
• 1975  Jack Nicklaus
• 1974  Gary Player
• 1973  Tommy Aaron
• 1972  Jack Nicklaus
• 1971  Charles Coody
• 1970  Billy Casper
• 1969  George Archer
• 1968  Bob Goalby
• 1967  Gay Brewer Jr.
• 1966  Jack Nicklaus
• 1965  Jack Nicklaus
• 1964  Arnold Palmer
• 1963  Jack Nicklaus
• 1962  Arnold Palmer
• 1961  Gary Player
• 1960  Arnold Palmer
• 1959  Art Wall Jr.
• 1958  Arnold Palmer
• 1957  Doug Ford
• 1956  Jack Burke Jr.
• 1955  Cary Middlecoff
• 1954  Sam Snead
• 1953  Ben Hogan
• 1952  Sam Snead
• 1951  Ben Hogan
• 1950  Jimmy Demaret
• 1949  Sam Snead
• 1948  Claude Harmon
• 1947  Jimmy Demaret
• 1946  Herman Keiser
• 1942  Byron Nelson
• 1941  Craig Wood
• 1940  Jimmy Demaret
• 1939  Ralph Guldahl
• 1938  Henry Picard
• 1937  Byron Nelson
• 1936  Horton Smith
• 1935  Gene Sarazen
• 1934  Horton Smith

Note: The Masters did not take place from 1943-45 because of World War II.