As one of the biggest tournaments in the sport of golf, the Masters is one of the four majors on the PGA Tour. Having just wrapped up, let’s take a look at the most prestigious golf tournament in the world.

History

Established in 1934, the Masters has consistently been played in the spring season since its inception. However, it wasn’t named “the Masters” until 1939. Because it’s always held at the Augusta National Golf Course, it was originally named the “Augusta National Invitational Tournament.”

Bobby Jones, one of the most influential golfers to ever come out of the sport, helped to concept and design August National Golf Course and petitioned the USGA to host the U.S. Open. He was ultimately denied due to the hot Georgia summers, which drove Jones to create his own par 72 tournament to be played earlier in the year. And so, the Masters was born!

The Famed Green Jacket

Many know the Masters by its legendary award: the Green Jacket. Formal added as a “trophy” in 1949, members of the Augusta National Golf Course are to wear green sport coats as their official attire while on club grounds. Each winner of the Masters since then becomes an honorary member of the club, thus earning their Green Jacket.

The Green Jacket is only allowed off of club grounds if taken by the reigning champion. It must be returned to the club thereafter, not to be worn again until the next champion is crowned. Traditionally, the previous champion cloaks the new winner in the green garb unless the winner is a repeat, in which case, the Chairman of Augusta National awards the Green Jacket.

The 2023 Masters

In this year’s tournament played April 6th through the 9th, golfers had their chance to play for a piece of the $15 million purse. As the first major championship of the year, many golf enthusiasts look forward to the Masters’ four rounds of 18 holes each. Unlike the other majors, the Masters is the only tournament conducted by a private club vs. a national golf organization like the PGA.

After the first two rounds, a cut is implemented to reduce the playing field for the remainder of the competition. The top 50 scores and ties or those within 10 strokes of the lead get to continue. This year’s tournament would boast the triumphant return of golf legend Tiger Woods, but Woods ended up withdrawing midway through due to a lingering injury.

The Winner of the 2023 Masters

Spanish golfer Jon Rahm would go on to win the 87^th Masters by four strokes, but it wasn’t always smiles and birdies. Rahm started the very first hole of the competition with a double bogey, fighting his way back to the top 50 to continue after the cut. With his win, he becomes the second golfer in the history of the Masters to accomplish such a feat (Sam Snead was the first).

While it was a rocky start, Rahm had sealed the deal by the 13^th and 14^th holes in the final round with two incredible birdies. As Bill Fields explained,

“On the newly lengthened par-5 13th, Rahm powered a draw around the corner with his compact swing, a quick one-two of force, leaving him only 198 yards to the green. From there he made a stress-free birdie to maintain a three-stroke lead. On No. 14, from 140 yards in the second cut right of the fairway, Rahm’s 8-iron approach landed left of the flagstick but grabbed, the ball rolling just where he wanted it, as if he were using a remote control. Cozy to the cup.

Another birdie. A four-stroke lead with four holes to play. One strong arm in one silky sleeve of the Green Jacket.”

Rahm earned his Green Jacket this year, with many others hoping to follow in his footsteps in the future. If you’re looking to upgrade your game, EyePromise^® can help! Here’s how.