This Thursday night we get to sit back and enjoy the viewing of the 76th Masters Tournament at Augusta National. The Masters is the first Major of the year and the final round is always set for the first Sunday in April. Unlike the other three Majors, The Masters is held at the same location each each. It also has the smallest field for a Major as it is an invitational event with a field of around 90 players.
Augusta National is a Par 72 private course in Augusta, Georgia and was started by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. Jones hired Alister Mackenzie to help design the course. The club first opened in December 1932.
On March 22, 1934, the first Masters was played and was won by Horton Smith. He went on to win again in 1936. Smith received the winners purse of US$1500 for each victory.
The signature Green Jacket which is awarded to the Masters Champion first began in 1949. The Champion is allowed to take the Jacket home however he must return it the following year. The Club then looks after his Jacket for him to wear on his next visit. It is worn by all members of August National while they are on the club grounds. Each Champion then becomes an honorary member of Augusta National.
The three most famous holes on the course are the 11th (Par 4), 12th (Par 3) and 13th (Par 5) which are known as “Amen Corner”. They were named this by Sports Illustrated writer Herbert Warren Wind in 1958. The phrase “Amen Corner” comes from the Jazz record “Shouting at Amen Corner”. He thought the phrase captured the amazing thrill of Arnold Palmer’s performance on the final round. Palmer went on to win that year and backed it up with three more victories in 1960, 1962 and 1964.
The record for most victories is held by the Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus. He has amassed an amazing six victories with his first coming in 1963 and followed that with victories in 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986.
Nicklaus also holds the record for most cuts made, with 37. Most Top Ten finishes with 22 and is the oldest winner at 46 years and 82 days when he won his 6th Geeen Jacket in 1986.
In 1997, Tiger Woods, at the age of 21 years and 104 days, became the youngest winner of the Masters. Tiger has also had 4 victories in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
Players to win 3 Green Jackets include Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson and Jimmy Demaret.
The youngest person to play in the tournament and to also mke the cut at 16 years and 356 days was Matteo Manassero in 2010.
Gary Player has had the most appearances with 52.
The course record is 63, which is held by Greg Norman and Nick Price.

Watch out for our full preview this Tuesday for our indepth preview of the Masters and the players to watch.