Easter heroes

1947 Jimmy Demaret
Set up with an opening 69, the American led or held the joint lead throughout the first three days. This was the second of the colourful character's three victories with Byron Nelson and the amateur Frank Stranahan in a share of second.

1950 Jimmy Demaret
Stamped his authority on Augusta National with his third success though it owed much to a late collapse by Jim Ferrier, who dropped five shots over the final six holes. Demaret played these in two-under for a three-under 69.

1958 Arnold Palmer
Aged 28, this was the first of Palmer's seven Majors, four of which came at Augusta to 1964. Triumphed by one after closing with a 73, this was the first time the winner's prize stretched into five figures.

1968 Bob Goalby
His only Major. Roberto De Vicenzo actually tied Goalby's score but Tommy Aaron put him down for a four instead of a three at 17 and the Argentine was penalised for signing an incorrect card.

1971 Charles Coody
He won just three times on the PGA Tour including this two-shot victory. Opened with a 66 and held off Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller on the Sunday. The Masters was held after the US PGA in this year.

1977 Tom Watson
In just his third outing at Augusta, Watson edged out Nicklaus, as he would also do later in the year at Turnberry. The Golden Bear finished with a 66 but a 67 from Watson, helped by a 20-footer at 17, saw him to the first of two Green Jackets.

1979 Fuzzy Zoeller
First Masters appearance, first Major triumph. Landed the spoils after the first sudden-death play-off as Ed Sneed squandered a five-shot lead. Zoeller saw off Sneed and Watson with a birdie at the second extra hole.

1982 Craig Stadler
Dan Pohl compiled two 67s over the weekend to tie with Stadler. The Walrus closed with a one-over 73 but held his nerve to get the better of Pohl in extra holes. Spain's Seve Ballesteros finished one shot away but would add a second Green Jacket the following year.

1993 Bernhard Langer
Langer kept the European flag flying with a fifth success in six years. The devout Christian took the lead after day three and eventually won by four from Chip Beck to secure his second Green Jacket.

1998 Mark O'Meara
O'Meara enjoyed a stellar year and kicked things off with his first Major here. His birdie-birdie finish -­ he improved with every round - gave him a one-shot win over David Duval and Fred Couples.

1974 Gary Player
Player claimed his second triumph after firing a nine-iron stone dead at the 71st hole. Dave Stockton stumbled to a closing 73 and came up short.

2004 Phil Mickelson
'The best player never to win a Major' tag was finally lifted at the 47th time of asking as a back-nine 31 pipped Ernie Els. The left-hander finished the job off in style with a birdie at the 72nd hole, just the fourth player to do so.

NB Jack Nicklaus' win in 1966 came on Easter Monday following an 18-hole play-off