Best Masters

[Golden Bear]

Just thought I'd spend a little bit of the agonizing wait for the Masters to begin by compiling my entirely subjective list of the Best Masters ever ... and hopefully it will spur others to post their top-5 lists.


1. 1986: A great finish, and everyone knew we were watching the crowning glory in the career of one of the sport’s all-time greats. It had excitement and emotion, and brilliant play from multiple golfers, not just the winner. But Jack’s back-nine was a thing of beauty, and for me, anyway, no moment in golf will ever compare to the moment depicted in my avatar: Jack taking the lead on 17.

2. 2004: Love Phil or hate him, that was just a fantastic day of golf. And with a guy wearing a label saying “Warning: Can’t win the big one” holing a tricky put on the 72nd hole to win ... Simply priceless.

3. 1975: Maybe a bit subjective here as a fan of Jack, but not too subjective – at the time, people were calling it the best Masters ever. Another fantastic final round with Miller, Weiskopf, and Jack trading the lead over and over. Jack ended up being the last man standing. His 50-foot birdie on 16 was one of the great putts in tournament history.

4. 1997: The only one in my top-5 that wasn’t a tight finish. But so much hype was following Tiger that, for a blowout, it was exciting to watch. There was a genuine feeling that we were watching history – not just because he was the first person of African heritage to win a major, but because people were predicting greatness for Tiger, and despite having the weight of that on his shoulders, he came through and demolished the field. And to think, he started out with a front-9 40 on Thursday.

5. 1960: Arnold became a legend that day. Birdie-birdie finish. It was among the most exciting and dramatic finishes at Augusta, but more than that, it came at a time when the popularity of golf and of Arnold were really starting to take off, and it has a special place in history because of that.

[Bellyhungry]

Best Masters - Weirsy's historical win, hands down

[landlord]

Can't argue with anyone else's choices (and can't remember any of them in any great detail), but the most memorable to me was the Olazabal-Norman battle.

Fuzzy Zoeller's was pretty cool too. First time there, he wins.

[Merlot]

I have read a few stories and seen a few specials on the golf channel about th e1975 Masters. That was one to see for sure.

How about Ben Crenshaw's last win (feel good of the decade) while grieving his mentor Harvey Penick or Faldos last if you are sadist.:rolleyes: (poor Greg)

[slightdraw]

Bellyhungry- What was historical about Weir's win, when Mattiace threw up and Weir won with a bogey? The word historical is thrown around too loosely, 86 was, even 97, Weir winning in a playoff with a bogey wasn't.

[Merlot]

Bellyhungry- What was historical about Weir's win, when Mattiace threw up and Weir won with a bogey? The word historical is thrown around too loosely, 86 was, even 97, Weir winning in a playoff with a bogey wasn't.

He was Canadian and left handed I believe. Firsts for both I think. Mattice really did struggle though. It was hard to watch.

[BowmanvilleJim]

Weir's win was huge for Canadian golf fans. The playoff was a let down but consider the round Mattice had just to get there and Weir who didn't make a bogey on final 18.

[Long Ball]

For me its 1992 - Freddie's the man.

[EDSGolf]

2006 I think it was, when Tiger sunk that chip!

[spackler]

2006 I think it was, when Tiger sunk that chip!

That was 2005, definitely one of the best.

[abz-pete]

1988 - Sandy Lyle's birdie on 18 out of the bunker to beat Calc by a single shot.

I also agree with Golden Bear's assessment of the '75 shootout between Nicklaus, Miller & Weiskopf - that was special!

[Golfing in Ottawa]

2006 I think it was, when Tiger sunk that chip!

Have to agree !! Might have been one of greatest...... or "the" greatest golf shot of all time considering it was the Masters, closeness of the match, the long journey of the ball towards the hole, and the famous "Nike Swoosh" hanging for a few seconds. Throw in the announcer and it was one of those "once in a lifetime" moments.

Here it is............never get tired of watching this clip..........:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFodsofd8Q&mode=related&search=

[Andru]

I've only seen 11 of them 97 being my first. I've seen 86 on reruns nto hightlights the full coverage. Which wasn't that much back then. 86 was good but can't rank it as there's no emotion for me. You had to be there. I wish I was able to feel that emotion of seeing it live. Anyhow

But the top 5

1) 97 First golf tournament I watched from start to finish.

2) 2003 Mike Weir Remember Feherty "Oh Canada!"

3) 2005 A superb battle down the stretch between Woods and Dimarco. and who can forget that chip on 16, Even the call was legendary.

4) 2001 When Tiger wins his fourth straight Major for the slam. First time in History anyone has one all four Majors. Just think, only 5 have won all four in their careers.

5) 2004 Phil Mickelson. Great ending and despite the weak vertical a terrific celebration. I think everyone was pulling for Phil that day.

Have to agree !! Might have been one of greatest...... or "the" greatest golf shot of all time considering it was the Masters, closeness of the match, the long journey of the ball towards the hole, and the famous "Nike Swoosh" hanging for a few seconds. Throw in the announcer and it was one of those "once in a lifetime" moments.

Here it is............never get tired of watching this clip..........:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFodsofd8Q&mode=related&search=

Here's a longer clip. Pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnYSPnNlWrw

[Golfing in Ottawa]

Here's a longer clip. Pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnYSPnNlWrw

Great extended clip. Remember the Golf Channel playing the last part where you see the two "very large" guys at the ropes on the lefthand side of the screen almost "Sumo Wrestling" they were so excited (see it at 3:24 minutes) :rofl:

[GQuizzle]

Great extended clip. Remember the Golf Channel playing the last part where you see the two "very large" guys at the ropes on the lefthand side of the screen almost "Sumo Wrestling" they were so excited (see it at 3:24 minutes) :rofl:

Good eyes... the fact that you pointed it out made it that much funnier!

[gatsby]

I really like the years of the big upsets and chokes. Faldo winning his first after Hoch misses the putt at 11 in playoff. And Faldo steady on while Norman collapses. Good and compelling viewing albeit painful. Woosie moving a ton of people on the 18th after his wayward shot. And still winning. Of course Jack in 86 was a fave. :D

[Big Shooter]

can't forget the Norman folerdama to Faldo!!! ;)

[Bellyhungry]

Bellyhungry- What was historical about Weir's win, when Mattiace threw up and Weir won with a bogey? The word historical is thrown around too loosely, 86 was, even 97, Weir winning in a playoff with a bogey wasn't.

- First lefty to win the Masters
- First Canadian male to win the Masters
- See also Merlot and BowmanvilleJim's entries


2) 2003 Mike Weir Remember Feherty "Oh Canada!"


As a Canadian golf fan, that call by Faherty is up there with 'YesSir!'

[Golden Bear]

05 and 03 were on the cusp of my top 5. 03 because it was Weir, and 05 because it was a legitimately good finish with one of the great shots along the way.

As for "best shot" ... I'd put Larry Mize's winner as the best shot in Master's history, because it was an impossible shot, and it won the tournament outright. A lucky shot, to be sure -- but what great shot isn't?

I'd have trouble deciding "second best" between Tiger's shot at 16 in 05 and Nicklaus's putt at 16 in 75. Both were miraculous. Tiger's had more drama with the ball hanging on the edge, and was a great visual with his reaction, but he followed it with a bogey at 17, so he gave the shot back and ended up in a playoff. Plus, I have more of a rooting interest in Jack than Tiger. But it's a toss-up.

[hogannut]

How about 1996? Norman's collapse. I still remember watching it in complete disbelief what was happening.

I also agree with GB's picks. 1975 and 1986 are Jacks' best wins at Augusta. I would also say Weir's win surpases Phil's at least as it pertains to a lefty win. 1997 is also pretty memorable.

[Merlot]

How about 1996? Norman's collapse. I still remember watching it in complete disbelief what was happening.

I also agree with GB's picks. 1975 and 1986 are Jacks' best wins at Augusta. I would also say Weir's win surpases Phil's at least as it pertains to a lefty win. 1997 is also pretty memorable.

Jack's 86 win was awesome. In 87, after walking of the 18th green on Saturday, jack was kinda in contention and on course reporter asked him if he felt he had a chance? Jack looked back and said with a knowing smile, 'I've been known to shoot 66 around here on Sundays' Classic! Didn't happen and Norman had another major taken away from him.

[Golden Bear]

96 is such a tough call. It's easily one of the most memorable Masters ever played, if not the most memorable. Among the "best"? I don't know if I could use that word.

It was so painful to watch. I really disliked Norman back then, too -- I don't know why. Some irrational dislike. But I disliked Norman, yet felt awful watching what happened to him that day.

If anything elevated it to "best" level, though, it was Norman's press conference afterwards. I remember watching it that evening and my opinion of Norman completely turned around and I became a fan. He was classy in defeat -- after one of the most humiliating defeats in the sport -- and he sat there forever taking questions -- something like 45 minutes or an hour, as I recall.


I don't think we've ever heard the full story of what Faldo said to him as they walked off 18, have we? I know that Faldo gave part of what was said at his press conference, and years later said that he also said "Don't let the *******s grind you down", but I've always had the impression that something more was said that neither has ever revealed.


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From the truly-trivial-nonsense department, perhaps we're due for another memorable Masters this year. Looking over the legendary Masters in the past, an eleven-year-itch has been scratched since the formation of Augusta:

1931 - Mackenzie completes his work on Augusta National.
1942 – Nelson outlasts Hogan in the 18-hole playoff, shooting a 69 to Hogan’s 70
1953 – Hogan sets a new scoring record with a 274 – 5 strokes better than the previous best
1964 – Palmer dominates the field and wins his last Masters (and last major)
1975 – Nicklaus, Weiskopf, and Miller in a titanic battle throughout the final round, all finishing within a stroke of each other
1986 – Some stuff happened
1997 – Some kid played his first Masters as a pro and had a pretty good tournament
2008 - ?

What's on tap this year? Tiger's fifth green jacket? Zach Johnson with an improbable back-to-back? Jack accepts his invitation after all, and wins at the age of 68? Tiger and Phil trading the lead for 18 holes on Sunday? Or a boring, mundane finish that makes this post an utter waste of my writing time and your reading time? Stay tuned ...

[Andru]

The Masters is like sex it's never truly awful.

[iyell4]

Best Masters - Weirsy's historical win, hands down plus one!

[ginrin]

The 86 Masters was the greatest or best.Jack's back nine was the most compelling golf I've ever watched and even watching it over and over you still can't believe he won.

[Golden Bear]

The Masters is like sex it's never truly awful.Plus, you can't get in without an invitation.

[Bellyhungry]

Plus, you can't get in without an invitation.

Yeah, but according to another thread, the way to play in the Masters is through high school....:hush:

[Golden Bear]

Yeah, but according to another thread, the way to play in the Masters is through high school....:hush:Pfft. In high school, most guys are lucky if they can be master of their domain for four days in a row.