A Nostalgic Look at Augusta National’s Champions
Seventy-five years ago this past week, Sam Snead won the Masters Tournament and became the first champion to receive one of Augusta National Golf Club’s green jackets. The jacket, which he wore every time he returned to Augusta until his death in 2002, is now a sartorial symbol of how Augusta National is more enchanted by champions than most places.
The Tradition of Champions at Augusta National
Since the start of the month, the Augusta National has celebrated various champions. Lottie Woad captured the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and eight children were named champions of a junior golf competition. More than 30 past Masters winners gathered for dinner to honor Jon Rahm, last year’s champion. Legends of the game like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson hit tee shots to start this year’s tournament. Many of their brethren played afterward, as they are allowed to for life, reinforcing Augusta’s commitment to honoring its past champions.
Scottie Scheffler, The Champion of the 88th Masters
Scottie Scheffler, who was already familiar with the locker room reserved for past champions, won the 88th Masters. His victory underscores the unique blend of hope, dazzle and ambition that are as abundant at Augusta as the azaleas that line its fairways.
Unprecedented Scenes and Performances at Augusta
This past week, all of the possibilities seemed to be on greater display than usual. There was the solar eclipse on Monday, when fans peered skyward, just as Ben Crenshaw and Nick Faldo did here, too. Later on, Tiger Woods, 48 years old and two years removed from the last time he finished a major tournament, made his record 24th consecutive Masters cut. But he faded on Saturday.
Chasing the Green Jacket: New and Past Champions
Higher up the leaderboard during the third round, players like Ludvig Aberg, Nicolai Hojgaard, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele hunted for their debut major title, while Bryson DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa and Cameron Smith looked to build on the magic that had made them champions elsewhere not all that long ago. Scheffler occasionally stumbled, but on Sunday, he dominated and locked down his second Masters victory before the birth of his first child.
The Masters: A Dream for Golf Enthusiasts and Players
The Masters Tournament is often regarded by golf enthusiasts as a dream come true. For the players, The Masters represents a shot at becoming one of those champions written into history, with the green jackets and the possibility of forever enchanting Augusta. As we look forward to the next Masters, it’s clear that this tradition of celebrating champions past, present and future will continue to be a defining feature of Augusta National.