The Masters – 90 Years Of Iconic Moments

90 years of The Masters - Legends made, hearts broken, iconic shots etched in history. Relive some of golf’s greatest moments!

April 15, 2025

For 90 incredible years, The Masters has been where golf’s greatest dreams are born – set against the breathtaking beauty of Augusta National, where azaleas bloom and legends rise.

Since 1934, it’s been the stage for heart-stopping drama and iconic triumphs: Jack Nicklaus’ stunning comeback in ’86, Tiger Woods’ unforgettable return in 2019 – and now, the storybook moment we’ve all been waiting for. Rory McIlroy finally captured his green jacket, completing the career Grand Slam in a roar of glory that shook the golfing world.

The Masters isn’t just a tournament – it’s magic in motion, a sacred tradition, and the ultimate theater of champions. And with Rory’s victory, a dazzling new chapter has been written in golf’s most treasured tale. Here’s our run down of the most iconic moments of magic this beautiful tournament has produced over the years (in no particular order).

🏆 Jack Nicklaus’ Roar – 19862

In one of the most awe-inspiring moments in golf history, Jack Nicklaus – at 46 years old – delivered a performance at the 1986 Masters that defied time, logic, and expectation. With a back-nine charge that felt almost mythical, Nicklaus carded a 30 coming home, igniting roars across Augusta as he rolled in birdie after birdie. His putt on the 17th, punctuated by that unforgettable fist pump, became the exclamation point on a sixth green jacket and an enduring symbol of greatness. It wasn’t just a victory – it was a masterclass in resilience, and a moment when golf touched the realm of legend.

🐅 Tiger Woods’ Historic Win – 1997

In 1997, the world watched in awe as a 21-year-old Tiger Woods redefined the game of golf at Augusta National. With power, precision, and an unshakable calm, he stormed to a 12-shot victory – the largest margin in Masters history – becoming both the youngest champion and the first Black golfer to win the green jacket. It was more than a win; it was a seismic shift in the sport. Tiger didn’t just claim a title – he ushered in a new era, forever changing the face of golf with a performance that remains one of the most iconic in Masters history.

🔄 Tiger’s Comeback – 2019

In 2019, the world watched in awe as Tiger Woods completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history. After more than a decade without a major title – marked by personal struggles, multiple surgeries, and countless setbacks – Woods returned to Augusta with the poise of a champion and the heart of a warrior. With every swing, he silenced doubt and summoned echoes of his prime, capturing his fifth green jacket and fifteenth major. It was more than a victory; it was a moment of redemption, resilience, and raw greatness – a reminder of why Tiger remains one of the most iconic figures in all of sport.

💥 Phil Mickelson’s Leap – 2004

Phil Mickelson’s breakthrough at the 2004 Masters was nothing short of magical. After years of near misses and questions about whether he could ever win a major, Mickelson delivered in unforgettable fashion. With nerves of steel, he sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole to claim his first green jacket – and leapt with uncontainable joy into the air. That iconic celebration captured the emotion of a career-defining moment, etching “Lefty’s Leap” into Masters history as a symbol of perseverance, passion, and pure golfing brilliance.

🧙 Bubba Watson’s Miracle Hook – 2012

In one of the most jaw-dropping shots in Masters history, Bubba Watson delivered a moment of pure magic during the 2012 playoff. Deep in the pine straw on the 10th hole, with no clear path to the green, Watson conjured a 40-yard hook with a wedge – bending the ball around trees and landing it softly on the green. It was a shot few could imagine, let alone execute under immense pressure. With that stroke of brilliance, Watson didn’t just win the Masters – he etched his name into Augusta folklore with a moment of sheer audacity and genius.

🧤 Gene Sarazen’s Double Eagle – 1935

Gene Sarazen’s legendary double eagle at the 1935 Masters remains one of the most astonishing moments in golf history. With a 4-wood in hand on the par-5 15th, Sarazen launched a miraculous 235-yard shot that found the cup in two – a feat so improbable, it was instantly dubbed “the shot heard ’round the world”. In a single swing, he erased a three-shot deficit and forced a playoff he would go on to win, forever changing the trajectory of the tournament. It wasn’t just a great shot – it was the moment The Masters became mythic.

🇪🇸 Seve Ballesteros Wins – 1980

In 1980, Seve Ballesteros lit up Augusta National with a performance that felt almost otherworldly. At just 23 years old, the charismatic Spaniard stormed to victory, becoming the youngest Masters champion at the time and the first from Europe to don the green jacket. With flair, fearlessness, and a short game that bordered on genius, Seve didn’t just win – he redefined what was possible. His triumph wasn’t merely a victory for himself, but a turning point that opened Augusta’s gates to a new era of international greatness.

😱 Jordan Spieth’s Collapse – 2016

Jordan Spieth’s collapse at the 2016 Masters remains one of the most astonishing moments in golf history. With a commanding five-shot lead heading into the back nine, Spieth seemed destined to don a second green jacket. But what followed on the 12th hole – two balls in the water and a quadruple bogey – was a stunning twist of fate that left the gallery in disbelief. It was a moment that captured the cruel beauty of Augusta: where greatness teeters on a razor’s edge, and even the most composed champions can be undone in an instant.

🧊 Scottie Scheffler’s Calm Domination – 2022

With a composure beyond his years, Scottie Scheffler delivered a masterclass in control and confidence at The Masters. From the first tee to the final putt, he navigated Augusta National with unshakable poise, never flinching under pressure. His steady hand and quiet intensity stood out in a field full of chaos, reminding us that true greatness often speaks in calm tones. In a sport defined by its unpredictability, Scheffler’s serene dominance felt almost otherworldly – a performance as precise as it was poetic.

🍀 Rory McIlroy Wins – 2025

In a moment destined for the history books, Rory McIlroy finally captured his elusive green jacket at the 2025 Masters, completing the career Grand Slam in spectacular fashion. With unwavering composure and a final round that shimmered with brilliance, McIlroy conquered Augusta National and the weight of a decade-long quest. It was more than a win – it was a crowning achievement, the fulfillment of a dream, and a moment of sporting transcendence that will echo through golf history with awe and admiration.

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