The Masters released a chilling clip before the 2025 tournament that whispered the words ‘If this course could talk’.
It showed Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, and Bubba Watson all jubilant and overcome by the emotion of winning at Augusta National.
This tournament might not have the longevity of The Open and not the same well-travelled rota but since Horton Smith won the inaugural event in 1934, the memories that have been created by the players for the patrons stick a lump in your throat.
While writing this column, I look to my left and sit like a statue with only my eyes running up and down the champions leaderboards. There are four of them but the fourth one is only half full, with Scottie Scheffler’s the most recent name, of course.
My dad’s favourite Masters champion is Nicklaus, there’s no question. He won six Green Jackets. The first Masters I watched on a wall-to-wall basis was in 2011, so I suppose that might mean Charl Schwartzel was my favourite champion.
It is also hard to get away from Woods winning his 15th major trophy in 2019 down Magnolia Lane, 11 years after his most recent major triumph before that. He won one less Masters title than Nicklaus.
Adam Scott winning Australia’s first Green Jacket and Hideki Matsuyama winning Japan’s first men’s major were both special.
I thoroughly enjoyed strolling around the second nine at Augusta National, asking patrons for who their favourite Masters champions were. I was fortunate to ask people from all walks of life, from different generations and different locations, and these factors largely explained their choice of their favourite Masters champions.
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Best Masters champions – in the eyes of the Augusta patrons
“Bubba!” – said Kathy from Savannah – “When he hit that ball from the pine straw… He’s a good old Southern Georgia boy. He made the game cool for a lot of youngsters. He wasn’t stuck up”
“It just has to be Tiger” – said Carey from Augusta.
“I really like Scottie” – said Miranda from North Carolina.
“Scottie Scheffler,” said Tim from Washington D.C – “Like Nick Faldo did years ago, I’d like to see Scottie win the Masters in back-to-back years. I used to see Faldo in this bar in Orlando, walking around in flip flops!”
“For me, it has to be Tiger Woods” – said Josh from Iowa.
“Hideki” – said Joseph from Alabama. I loved this answer. “The honour that he and his caddie showed to the course and the patrons when winning in 2021 was incredible. It was cool for Japan to have a first-time winner as well”
“Jack Nicklaus,” said Glen from Charlotte. Short and sweet.
“I would have to say Phil Mickelson, I think” – said Brian from Chambers, Indiana.
“Bubba! We love Bubba” – said Maria from Augusta.
“Phil!” – said Michael from Savannah.
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Who is your favourite player on the Masters champions list? Do you agree with these patrons on their best Masters champions? Tell us on X!
