In a recent Talk of the South newsletter, we asked readers to share their favorite Masters moments from over the years. Here are some of the many responses:
Jack Nicklaus Wins His Sixth Masters at Age Forty-Six
Without a doubt, Jack Nicklaus’s win in 1986. At sixty-six years myself, I like when the older guys win. —Jim G.
The Golden Bear winning at forty-six years old and his sixth green jacket (both records). —Mike W.
Nicklaus’s back nine in 1986. Still brings chills to watch it. A Hollywood ending that no one would ever believe until it happened. —Roy K.
Tiger Woods Takes Home His Fifth Green Jacket in 2019
Returning home from a good friend’s wedding in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, and pulling onto the shoulder of the highway to watch Tiger finish out the 2019 Masters on my phone. —Chris T.
Tiger’s win in 2019. —Leigh P.
Arnold Palmer Plays in His Last Masters
Watching Arnold Palmer on the eighteenth hole in 2004 at his fiftieth, and last, Masters as a player. Still brings tears to my eyes. —Jan B.
Fred Couples Wins in 1992
Gary Player was always my favorite golfer. And then came Fred Couples. It was 1992, and we had followed Freddy most of the tournament. On the eighteenth green on Sunday afternoon, the gallery was at least ten deep. Next thing I knew, my boyfriend hoisted me onto his broad shoulders and I then had an eagle’s eye view to see Freddy win the Masters. —Patsy P.
Practice Moments
Seeing Arnold Palmer film a Cadillac commercial. This was in the early 1980s when the practice rounds were open to everyone. Fantastic memories of my friends and I going to Augusta. —Debbie H.
Just walking the course during a practice round with, what seemed like, 75,000 of my closest friends. Watching the players “skip” their approach shot on No. 16 was a bonus. —Jim C.
Friday at the 1991 Masters, we watched Bernhard Langer stoically stroll onto the practice putting green. He dropped three balls, made the first putt of thirty-five feet, and the patrons applauded, though he did not react. Proceeded to make the next one, to more applause. He looked up and with a slight grin said, “This one is the hard one to make.” As soon as he hit the third putt, we all knew it was going in…it had to be the loudest roar ever on that practice green (pre-Tiger). —John B.
One of the sweetest moments happened when Tiger Woods was in the early years of his Masters appearances. One chilly April morning as play was beginning, Woods was on the practice green before teeing off. A soft voice from the few enthusiasts in front of us said quietly, “I told Tiger this morning he should wear his sweater!” Mothers will be mothers—no matter the location…or fame. —Lynne and Bob S.
The Holes-in-One of 2004
In 2004, we deemed our eleven-year-old son mature enough to go to the final round. We were sitting at No. 16, explaining to him how important it was to be quiet, when Pádraig Harrington made a hole-in-one. Pandemonium! Immediately after him, Kirk Triplett stepped up and made a hole-in-one. The crowd went wild. Whoever stepped up next (I’ve forgotten) left his ball near the hole, and the crowd sighed like he was a slacker. What an introduction to the Masters. —Ann B.
Personal Wins from Readers
Still have my mother’s badge from 1942. Look at the price! —Jim B.
When I got drawn for two badges every year for my lifetime. —Christy C.
It was July 22, 2024, when I received notification my application for 2025 Masters tickets had been selected in the lottery. We are Augusta-bound to enjoy the dazzling array of colors, hills, and iconic greens that make Augusta National truly spectacular—and of course pimento cheese sandwiches. —Ann M.
