The Masters Tournament is the first of the four major championships in the men's PGA Tour. Also known as The Masters or The US Masters, it has played at the Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club in Augusta, Georgia, since its inception in 1934, unlike the other masters. It has been a part of the European Tour since the tour was created in 1972. In 2006 the course was lengthened by 600 yards to 7,445 yards drawing criticism from top golfers, present and past.
In 2006, the total prize money was $7,000,000 with the winner getting $1,260,000. Phil Mickelson won by two-strokes beating a host of top golfers.
History of The Masters
- The Masters was started by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones under the name Augusta National Invitation Tournament.
- It was subsequently changed to its present name in 1939.
- Gene Sarazen hit "The shot heard 'round the world," on the 15 th hole for a double eagle to force a playoff and eventually won the championship in 1935.
- Gary Player became the first non- American Masters champion in 1961.
- In 1975, Lee Elder became the first African - American to qualify for the meet.
- Jack Nicklaus became the oldest player to win The Masters in 1986, winning it at the age of 46 while Tiger Woods, at the age of 21, became the youngest to win it in 1997.
- In 2003, Martha Burk failed in her protest to pressure the club to accept female members.
Field of Play
A total of 90 players take part in The Masters. The top 50 golfers in the Official World Golf Rankings are invited. Past winners are also invited. The Masters Committee, at its discretion, also invites international players not otherwise qualified.
Format of Play
The Masters tournament is played over 18 holes in four days. Three players are grouped for the first 36 holes after which a cut is made. Players, who 'make the cut', are in one or both of the following two categories:
- Lowest 44 scores plus ties
- Within 10 strokes of the lowest 36-hole score (set by the leader).
Green Jacket
The Green Jacket is the most coveted thing amongst golfers. It is awarded to the winner of The Masters in addition to the cash award. The winners have to return the jackets the following year and can continue to wear them during the tournament week only.
Traditionally the reigning champion dresses up the incumbent with the Jacket at the end of the tournament. In 1966, Jack Nicklaus donned the Jacket himself as he had also won in the previous year. When Nick Faldo (in 1990) and Tiger Woods (in 2002) repeated the fete they were honored by the chairman of the Augusta National.
Tournament schedule and tickets
The next edition of The Masters will be held from 6-9 April, 2007. Tickets are not sold to the public. In order to view the practice rounds you have to apply one year in advance and the lucky ones get chosen through random ballot.
Tournament day tickets are sold only to members of a patrons list, which is closed. A waiting list for the patrons list was opened in 1972 and closed in 1978. It was reopened in 2000 and subsequently closed once again.
The Masters Tournament is one of the major tournaments in the world. It is part of both the European Tour and the US PGA Tour . It boasts of a strong field as all the top golfers play there. As we continue on this tour we will learn about the other tournaments in the European Tour .
