Masters Tournament Winners List And Records Guide

The Masters Tournament stands as one of golf’s most revered events, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club since its inception in 1934. This prestigious major has crowned 58 unique champions over 90 editions, showcasing extraordinary talent, dramatic finishes, and timeless records. From the inaugural winner to modern-day stars, the green jacket has been awarded to legends who have shaped the sport.

Origins and Evolution of The Masters

Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, The Masters began as an invitational tournament designed to elevate professional golf. Horton Smith claimed the first title in 1934 with a score of 284, setting the stage for a legacy of excellence. The event paused during World War II but resumed in 1946, growing into a global spectacle known for its pristine course conditions, azaleas in bloom, and the iconic green jacket ceremony.

Over decades, the tournament has evolved with changes in course design, equipment technology, and player diversity. Early winners dominated with precision iron play, while contemporary champions excel in power and putting. The par-72 layout stretches over 7,555 yards today, challenging even the longest hitters.

Record-Breaking Champions: Who Holds the Most Green Jackets?

Jack Nicklaus leads with an unparalleled **six Masters victories** (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986), a feat unmatched in major championship history. His span across three decades underscores his longevity. Tiger Woods follows closely with **five wins** (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), including a record-tying margin of victory and a comeback for the ages in 2019.

Arnold Palmer secured **four titles** (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964), captivating fans with his charismatic style during golf’s golden era. Five players share three victories each: Jimmy Demaret (1940, 1947, 1950), Sam Snead (1949, 1952, 1954), Gary Player (1961, 1974, 1978), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990, 1996), and Phil Mickelson (2004, 2006, 2010).

Player	Wins	Years
Jack Nicklaus	6	1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
Tiger Woods	5	1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019
Arnold Palmer	4	1958, 1960, 1962, 1964
Jimmy Demaret	3	1940, 1947, 1950
Sam Snead	3	1949, 1952, 1954
Gary Player	3	1961, 1974, 1978
Nick Faldo	3	1989, 1990, 1996
Phil Mickelson	3	2004, 2006, 2010

Complete List of Masters Winners by Decade

1930s and 1940s: The Foundational Era

1934: Horton Smith, 284
1935: Gene Sarazen, 282 (playoff win)
1936: Horton Smith, 285
1937: Byron Nelson, 283
1938: Henry Picard, 285
1939: Ralph Guldahl, 279
1940: Jimmy Demaret, 280
1941: Craig Wood, 280
1942: Byron Nelson, 280
1946: Herman Keiser, 282 (post-war resumption)
1947: Jimmy Demaret, 281
1948: Claude Harmon, 279
1949: Sam Snead, 282

This period featured repeat winners like Horton Smith and Jimmy Demaret, establishing early dominance amid wartime interruptions.

1950s: Palmer Emerges

1950: Jimmy Demaret, 283
1951: Ben Hogan, 280
1952: Sam Snead, 286
1953: Ben Hogan, 274
1954: Sam Snead, 289
1955: Cary Middlecoff, 279
1956: Jack Burke Jr., 289
1957: Doug Ford, 283
1958: Arnold Palmer, 284
1959: Art Wall Jr., 284

Ben Hogan’s precision and Sam Snead’s three wins highlighted this decade, paving the way for Arnold Palmer’s arrival.

1960s: Nicklaus and Palmer Rivalry

1960: Arnold Palmer, 282
1961: Gary Player, 280 (first non-American)
1962: Arnold Palmer, 280 (playoff)
1963: Jack Nicklaus, 286
1964: Arnold Palmer, 276
1965: Jack Nicklaus, 271
1966: Jack Nicklaus, 288 (back-to-back)
1967: Gay Brewer Jr., 280
1968: Bob Goalby, 277
1969: George Archer, 281

Gary Player broke the American stronghold in 1961, while Nicklaus began his reign with consecutive wins.

1970s: International Flavor Grows

1970: Billy Casper, 279 (playoff)
1971: Charles Coody, 279
1972: Jack Nicklaus, 286
1973: Tommy Aaron, 283
1974: Gary Player, 278
1975: Jack Nicklaus, 276
1976: Raymond Floyd, 271
1977: Tom Watson, 276
1978: Gary Player, 277
1979: Fuzzy Zoeller, 280 (first playoff under sudden death)

Gary Player’s third win in 1978 solidified his status as a global pioneer.

1980s: Seve and Nicklaus’ Final Glory

1980: Seve Ballesteros, 275
1981: Tom Watson, 280
1982: Craig Stadler, 284 (playoff)
1983: Seve Ballesteros, 280
1984: Ben Crenshaw, 277
1985: Bernhard Langer, 282
1986: Jack Nicklaus, 279 (oldest winner at 46)
1987: Larry Mize, 285 (playoff)
1988: Sandy Lyle, 281
1989: Nick Faldo, 283 (playoff)

Nicklaus’ 1986 charge remains legendary, thrilling galleries on the back nine.

1990s: Faldo’s Back-to-Back Mastery

1990: Nick Faldo, 278 (playoff)
1991: Ian Woosnam, 277
1992: Fred Couples, 275
1993: Bernhard Langer, 277 (playoff)
1994: José María Olazábal, 279
1995: Ben Crenshaw, 274
1996: Nick Faldo, 276
1997: Tiger Woods, 270 (record margin of 12 strokes)
1998: Mark O’Meara, 279
1999: José María Olazábal, 280

Tiger Woods’ 1997 debut redefined dominance at age 21.

2000s: Woods’ Dynasty and Playoff Thrillers

2000: Vijay Singh, 278 (playoff)
2001: Tiger Woods, 272
2002: Tiger Woods, 276 (back-to-back)
2003: Mike Weir, 281 (playoff, first lefty)
2004: Phil Mickelson, 279
2005: Tiger Woods, 276 (playoff)
2006: Phil Mickelson, 281
2007: Zach Johnson, 289
2008: Trevor Immelman, 280
2009: Ángel Cabrera, 276 (playoff)

Woods completed a three-peat from 2001-2002, matching Nicklaus and Faldo.

Woods’ 2019 victory marked his fifth green jacket.

2020s: New Era of Power and Precision

2020: Dustin Johnson, 268 (tournament record -20)
2021: Hideki Matsuyama, 278
2022: Scottie Scheffler, 278
2023: Jon Rahm, 276
2024: Scottie Scheffler, 277
2025: Rory McIlroy, 277 (playoff over Justin Rose)

Dustin Johnson’s 2020 score set the lowest ever, while Scheffler joined the multiple winners club.

Iconic Records and Milestones

Youngest Winner: Tiger Woods, 21 years in 1997
Oldest Winner: Jack Nicklaus, 46 years, 82 days in 1986
Lowest Score: Dustin Johnson, 268 (-20) in 2020
Most Consecutive Wins: 2, by Nicklaus (1965-66), Faldo (1989-90), Woods (2001-02)
First Non-American: Gary Player, 1961
First Left-Handed: Mike Weir, 2003

Nicklaus and Woods uniquely won in three decades, cementing their legacies.

Playoff Drama: Sudden Death Highlights

The Masters introduced sudden-death playoffs in 1979. Memorable ones include Gene Sarazen’s 1935 36-hole playoff, Fuzzy Zoeller’s 1979 debut win, and Rory McIlroy’s 2025 birdie on the first extra hole.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has won the most Masters titles?

Jack Nicklaus with six victories.

Has anyone won three consecutive Masters?

No, the record is two consecutive wins by three players.

What is the significance of the green jacket?

Presented to the champion, worn during the victory ceremony and the next year at Augusta.

Where is The Masters held?

Exclusively at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA.

Who was the first international winner?

Gary Player of South Africa in 1961.

References

Golf Masters Winners List — Topend Sports. 2024. https://www.topendsports.com/events/golf-masters/winners.htm
Masters Winners: All Tournament Champions Plus Scores, Trivia — Golf Compendium. 2018-11. https://www.golfcompendium.com/2018/11/masters-winners.html
Masters Winners: List of Tournament champions by year — FOX Sports. 2024. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/golf/masters-champions-list-of-tournament-winners-by-year
Masters Tournament — Wikipedia (official records referenced). 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masters_Tournament
Past Winners of The Masters — PGA of America. 2024. https://www.pga.com/story/past-winners-of-the-masters
List of Masters Tournament champions — Wikipedia (official records). 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Masters_Tournament_champions
Past Winners and Results — Masters.com (official). 2025. https://www.masters.com/en_US/tournament/past_winners.html

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