History

History of the Masters

AP

Looking to provide a service to golf by hosting a tournament, Bob Jones and Clifford Roberts decided to hold an annual event beginning in 1934. The final decision was made at a meeting in New York at the office of member W. Alton Jones. Roberts proposed the annual event be called The Masters Tournament, but Jones objected, thinking it too presumptuous. The name Augusta National Invitation Tournament was adopted and the title was used for five years, until Jones relented in 1939 and the name was officially changed.

An early decision was whether Jones would play or serve as an official. Jones preferred not to compete but was persuaded by the Club's members to join the field. In the nine pre-war tournaments when Jones played, 12 overall, his best finish was 13th in 1934.

Many decisions made in the early days of the tournament remain today. Among these are the four-day stroke playing of 18 holes each day instead of the then-customary 36 holes on the third day, eliminating qualifying rounds, pairing the field as opposed to playing in threesomes and denying permission for anyone but players and their caddies to be in the playing area. A complimentary pairing sheet and a spectator booklet were provided and commercialization of the tournament in any form was limited.

The first Masters Tournament was held March 22, 1934, and beginning in 1940, The Masters was scheduled each year during the first full week in April. That first tournament was won by Horton Smith, and in the fall of 1934 the nines were reversed.

In 1935 Gene Sarazen hit "the shot heard 'round the world," scoring a double eagle on the par-5 15th hole to tie Craig Wood and force a playoff. Sarazen won the 36-hole playoff the next day by five strokes.

In 1942 Byron Nelson defeated Ben Hogan 69-70 in an 18-hole playoff. The tournament was not played during the next three years -- 1943-45 -- during the Second World War. To assist in the war effort, cattle and turkeys were raised on the Augusta National grounds.

The 1950s included two victories by Ben Hogan and the first of four for Arnold Palmer. Palmer's 1958 win began the tradition of Amen Corner. In 1960 the Par 3 contest started, and in 1965-66 Jack Nicklaus became the first Masters champion to successfully defend his title.

During the 197s, the two founders of The Masters Tournament passed away. Jones and Roberts left indelible impressions on The Masters and the world of golf. The following decade Spaniard Seve Ballesteros won twice and Tom Watson captured his second title. In 1986, 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus donned his sixth green jacket. And in 1997, Tiger Woods bested the tournament's four-day scoring record that had stood for 32 years.

Back to Masters Breakdown