List of Masters Tournament champions

The Masters Tournament isn't just another golf event; it's an annual pilgrimage to Augusta National, steeped in tradition and legendary performances. It stands apart as a major championship where history is made and careers are forever defined, culminating in one of sport's most iconic symbols—the Green Jacket. Join us as we explore the champions who have etched their names into this hallowed ground. The Masters is unique among golf's four majors for its permanent home at Augusta National and the coveted Green Jacket awarded to its champion. Legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods lead a pantheon of golfing greats, holding records for most wins, age, and dominance at Augusta. Becoming a Masters champion grants extraordinary, lifelong privileges in the world of professional golf, making it one of the most significant titles to win.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

The Masters is unique among golf's four majors for its permanent home at Augusta National and the coveted Green Jacket awarded to its champion.
Legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods lead a pantheon of golfing greats, holding records for most wins, age, and dominance at Augusta.
Becoming a Masters champion grants extraordinary, lifelong privileges in the world of professional golf, making it one of the most significant titles to win.

The Masters: A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Established in 1934, the Masters Tournament quickly distinguished itself as more than just a golf competition. It's the first of golf's four major championships each year, famously played every April on the pristine, hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.

The Green Jacket: A Symbol of Immortality

Perhaps the most iconic symbol in golf, the 'Green Jacket' is awarded to each Masters champion. First presented to Sam Snead in 1949, this sartorial trophy isn't just for show—it's a lifetime invitation to the club and a constant reminder of golf's highest achievement. Champions may take it home for a year, but it always returns to Augusta.

Winning the Masters bestows incredible prestige and a host of practical benefits. Champions earn automatic invitations to the other three major championships for the next five years, along with a five-year membership on the PGA Tour. It's an instant passport to golf's elite tier.

The Golden Bear's Roar: Jack Nicklaus

When we talk about Masters legends, Jack Nicklaus—the 'Golden Bear'—stands alone. He holds the incredible record for the most Masters victories, donning the Green Jacket a staggering six times between 1963 and 1986. His final victory in 1986, at 46 years old, also made him the oldest champion in tournament history.

Tiger's Dominance: A New Era

Following Nicklaus, Tiger Woods redefined dominance at Augusta. Winning his first Masters in 1997 at just 21 years old, he became the youngest champion ever, doing so with a record-breaking 12-stroke margin. Woods would go on to win the Masters five times, including consecutive victories in 2001 and 2002.

Only three golfers have ever managed to successfully defend their Masters title: Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990), and Tiger Woods (2001-2002). This exclusive club highlights the immense pressure and challenge of replicating success on Augusta's demanding course.

Remarkable Scores and Feats

The Masters has seen scores swing from sublime to surprisingly high. The lowest winning score ever recorded was a remarkable 268 strokes, or 20-under-par, achieved by Dustin Johnson in the 2020 tournament. This score truly showcases the evolving skill level of golf's elite.

On the other end of the spectrum, the highest winning score stands at 289 strokes, or 1-over-par. This mark was first set by Sam Snead in 1954, and later equaled by Jack Burke Jr. in 1956 and Zach Johnson in 2007, proving that sometimes, simply surviving Augusta is enough to win.

Another rare achievement is winning 'wire-to-wire,' meaning leading after every single round. Only five golfers have accomplished this incredible feat: Craig Wood (1941), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Raymond Floyd (1976), and Jordan Spieth (2015). It's a testament to sustained excellence under pressure.

Global Champions

While American golfers have historically dominated the Masters, the tournament proudly crowns champions from around the globe. Gary Player of South Africa made history in 1961 as the first non-American to claim the Green Jacket, opening the door for many international stars.

Since then, players from Spain, Germany, Fiji, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Japan, and Northern Ireland have all triumphed. This international flavor underscores the Masters' status as a truly global sporting spectacle.

Champions Through the Years

From Horton Smith's inaugural victory in 1934 to the most recent champions, each name tells a story of triumph and perseverance. The list of champions is a who's who of golf royalty, a testament to the enduring allure of Augusta.

Multiple Victories

Golfer	Total	Years
Jack Nicklaus (USA)	6	1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
Tiger Woods (USA)	5	1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019
Arnold Palmer (USA)	4	1958, 1960, 1962, 1964
Jimmy Demaret (USA)	3	1940, 1947, 1950
Sam Snead (USA)	3	1949, 1952, 1954
Gary Player (RSA)	3	1961, 1974, 1978
Nick Faldo (ENG)	3	1989, 1990, 1996
Phil Mickelson (USA)	3	2004, 2006, 2010
Horton Smith (USA)	2	1934, 1936
Byron Nelson (USA)	2	1937, 1942
Ben Hogan (USA)	2	1951, 1953
Tom Watson (USA)	2	1977, 1981
Seve Ballesteros (ESP)	2	1980, 1983
Bernhard Langer (GER)	2	1985, 1993
Ben Crenshaw (USA)	2	1984, 1995
José María Olazábal (ESP)	2	1994, 1999
Bubba Watson (USA)	2	2012, 2014
Scottie Scheffler (USA)	2	2022, 2024

Victories by Nationality

Nationality	Wins	Winners
United States	64	39
Spain	6	4
South Africa	5	3
England	4	2
Germany	2	1
Scotland	1	1
Wales	1	1
Fiji	1	1
Canada	1	1
Argentina	1	1
Australia	1	1
Japan	1	1
Northern Ireland	1	1

Article

List of Masters Tournament champions

Jack Nicklaus, holding a record of six Masters victories in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, and 1986, is one of three golfers to successfully defend his title. He is also one of five champions to win wire-to-wire, in 1972.

The Masters Tournament is a golf competition that was established in 1934, with Horton Smith winning the inaugural tournament. The Masters is the first of four major championships to be played each year, with the final round of the Masters always being scheduled for the second Sunday in April. The Masters is the only one of the four majors to use the same course every year: the Augusta National Golf Club. Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the U.S. Open, the Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship) for the next five years, and earn a lifetime invitation to the Masters. They also receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following five seasons and invitations to the Players Championship for the five years following their victory. The champion also receives the "Green Jacket", the first one being won by Sam Snead in (/wiki/1949MastersTournament). The champion takes the jacket home for a year and returns it thereafter. A multiple-time champion will only have one jacket unless his size changes dramatically.

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most Masters victories, winning the tournament six times during his career. Nicklaus is also the oldest winner of the Masters: he was 46 years 82 days old when he won in (/wiki/1986MastersTournament). Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods co-hold the record for most consecutive victories with two. Woods was the youngest winner of the Masters, 21 years 104 days old when he won in (/wiki/1997MastersTournament). Woods also set the record for the widest winning margin (12 strokes). The lowest winning score, with 268, 20-under-par, was scored by Dustin Johnson in (/wiki/2020MastersTournament).

The highest winning score of 289 (+1) was originally set by Sam Snead in (/wiki/1954MastersTournament), it was equalled by Jack Burke Jr. in (/wiki/1956MastersTournament), and Zach Johnson in (/wiki/2007MastersTournament). Five golfers have won the Masters wire-to-wire: Craig Wood in 1941, Arnold Palmer in 1960, Nicklaus in 1972, Raymond Floyd in 1976, and Jordan Spieth in 2015. Other players have led wire-to-wire if ties after a round are included, most recently Dustin Johnson in the 2020 Masters Tournament. Rory McIlroy is the current champion. He won the 2025 Masters Tournament with a score of (−11).

Champions

By year

Arnold Palmer, four-time Masters Champion 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964. He is one of five champions to win wire-to-wire with his victory in 1960.

Tiger Woods, five-time Masters Champion in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019. Tiger is one of three golfers to successfully defend his title

Sam Snead, three-time Masters Champion in 1949, 1952, 1954

Gary Player, three-time Masters Champion in 1961, 1974, and 1978, and the first non-American to win the tournament.

Nick Faldo, three-time Masters Champion in 1989, 1990, and 1996, and is one of three golfers to successfully defend his title

Phil Mickelson, three-time Masters Champion in 2004, 2006, and 2010

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Country</th><th>Champion</th><th>Total score</th><th>To par[a]</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1934</td><td> United States</td><td>Horton Smith</td><td>284</td><td>−4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1935</td><td> United States</td><td>Gene Sarazen†[c]</td><td>282</td><td>−6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1936</td><td> United States</td><td>Horton Smith (2)</td><td>285</td><td>−3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1937</td><td> United States</td><td>Byron Nelson</td><td>283</td><td>−5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1938</td><td> United States</td><td>Henry Picard</td><td>285</td><td>−3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1939</td><td> United States</td><td>Ralph Guldahl</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1940</td><td> United States</td><td>Jimmy Demaret</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1941</td><td> United States</td><td>Craig Wood</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1942</td><td> United States</td><td>Byron Nelson (2) †[d]</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1943</td><td>—</td><td>None[b]</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1944</td><td>—</td><td>None</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1945</td><td>—</td><td>None</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1946</td><td> United States</td><td>Herman Keiser</td><td>282</td><td>−6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1947</td><td> United States</td><td>Jimmy Demaret (2)</td><td>281</td><td>−7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1948</td><td> United States</td><td>Claude Harmon</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1949</td><td> United States</td><td>Sam Snead</td><td>282</td><td>−6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1950</td><td> United States</td><td>Jimmy Demaret (3)</td><td>283</td><td>−5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1951</td><td> United States</td><td>Ben Hogan</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1952</td><td> United States</td><td>Sam Snead (2)</td><td>286</td><td>−2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1953</td><td> United States</td><td>Ben Hogan (2)</td><td>274</td><td>−14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1954</td><td> United States</td><td>Sam Snead (3) †[e]</td><td>289</td><td>+1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1955</td><td> United States</td><td>Cary Middlecoff</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1956</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Burke Jr.</td><td>289</td><td>+1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1957</td><td> United States</td><td>Doug Ford</td><td>283</td><td>−5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1958</td><td> United States</td><td>Arnold Palmer</td><td>284</td><td>−4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1959</td><td> United States</td><td>Art Wall Jr.</td><td>284</td><td>−4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1960</td><td> United States</td><td>Arnold Palmer (2)</td><td>282</td><td>−6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1961</td><td> South Africa</td><td>Gary Player</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1962</td><td> United States</td><td>Arnold Palmer (3) †[f]</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1963</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Nicklaus</td><td>286</td><td>−2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1964</td><td> United States</td><td>Arnold Palmer (4)</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1965</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Nicklaus (2)</td><td>271</td><td>−17</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1966</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Nicklaus (3) †[g]</td><td>288</td><td>E</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1967</td><td> United States</td><td>Gay Brewer</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1968</td><td> United States</td><td>Bob Goalby</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1969</td><td> United States</td><td>George Archer</td><td>281</td><td>−7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1970</td><td> United States</td><td>Billy Casper†[h]</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1971</td><td> United States</td><td>Charles Coody</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1972</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Nicklaus (4)</td><td>286</td><td>−2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1973</td><td> United States</td><td>Tommy Aaron</td><td>283</td><td>−5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td> South Africa</td><td>Gary Player (2)</td><td>278</td><td>−10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Nicklaus (5)</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1976</td><td> United States</td><td>Raymond Floyd</td><td>271</td><td>−17</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td> United States</td><td>Tom Watson</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1978</td><td> South Africa</td><td>Gary Player (3)</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td> United States</td><td>Fuzzy Zoeller†[i]</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1980</td><td> Spain</td><td>Seve Ballesteros</td><td>275</td><td>−13</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td> United States</td><td>Tom Watson (2)</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td> United States</td><td>Craig Stadler†[j]</td><td>284</td><td>−4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td> Spain</td><td>Seve Ballesteros (2)</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td> United States</td><td>Ben Crenshaw</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td> West Germany</td><td>Bernhard Langer</td><td>282</td><td>−6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td> United States</td><td>Jack Nicklaus (6)</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td> United States</td><td>Larry Mize†[k]</td><td>285</td><td>−3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td> Scotland</td><td>Sandy Lyle</td><td>281</td><td>−7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td> England</td><td>Nick Faldo†[l]</td><td>283</td><td>−5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td> England</td><td>Nick Faldo (2) †[m]</td><td>278</td><td>−10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td> Wales</td><td>Ian Woosnam</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1992</td><td> United States</td><td>Fred Couples</td><td>275</td><td>−13</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td> Germany</td><td>Bernhard Langer (2)</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td> Spain</td><td>José María Olazábal</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td> United States</td><td>Ben Crenshaw (2)</td><td>274</td><td>−14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td> England</td><td>Nick Faldo (3)</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td> United States</td><td>Tiger Woods</td><td>270</td><td>−18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td> United States</td><td>Mark O'Meara</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td> Spain</td><td>José María Olazábal (2)</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td> Fiji</td><td>Vijay Singh</td><td>278</td><td>−10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td> United States</td><td>Tiger Woods (2)</td><td>272</td><td>−16</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td> United States</td><td>Tiger Woods (3)</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td> Canada</td><td>Mike Weir†[n]</td><td>281</td><td>−7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td> United States</td><td>Phil Mickelson</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td> United States</td><td>Tiger Woods (4) †[o]</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td> United States</td><td>Phil Mickelson (2)</td><td>281</td><td>−7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td> United States</td><td>Zach Johnson</td><td>289</td><td>+1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td> South Africa</td><td>Trevor Immelman</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td> Argentina</td><td>Ángel Cabrera†[p]</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td> United States</td><td>Phil Mickelson (3)</td><td>272</td><td>−16</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td> South Africa</td><td>Charl Schwartzel</td><td>274</td><td>−14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td> United States</td><td>Bubba Watson†[q]</td><td>278</td><td>−10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td> Australia</td><td>Adam Scott†[r]</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td> United States</td><td>Bubba Watson (2)</td><td>280</td><td>−8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015</td><td> United States</td><td>Jordan Spieth</td><td>270</td><td>−18</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td> England</td><td>Danny Willett</td><td>283</td><td>−5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td> Spain</td><td>Sergio García†[s]</td><td>279</td><td>−9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td> United States</td><td>Patrick Reed</td><td>273</td><td>−15</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td> United States</td><td>Tiger Woods (5)</td><td>275</td><td>−13</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td> United States</td><td>Dustin Johnson</td><td>268</td><td>−20</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td> Japan</td><td>Hideki Matsuyama</td><td>278</td><td>−10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td> United States</td><td>Scottie Scheffler</td><td>278</td><td>−10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td> Spain</td><td>Jon Rahm</td><td>276</td><td>−12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td> United States</td><td>Scottie Scheffler (2)</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td> Northern Ireland</td><td>Rory McIlroy†[t]</td><td>277</td><td>−11</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Multiple champions

<table><thead><tr><th>Golfer</th><th>Total</th><th>Years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> Jack Nicklaus (USA)</td><td>6</td><td>1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986</td></tr><tr><td> Tiger Woods (USA)</td><td>5</td><td>1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019</td></tr><tr><td> Arnold Palmer (USA)</td><td>4</td><td>1958, 1960, 1962, 1964</td></tr><tr><td> Jimmy Demaret (USA)</td><td>3</td><td>1940, 1947, 1950</td></tr><tr><td> Sam Snead (USA)</td><td>3</td><td>1949, 1952, 1954</td></tr><tr><td> Gary Player (RSA)</td><td>3</td><td>1961, 1974, 1978</td></tr><tr><td> Nick Faldo (ENG)</td><td>3</td><td>1989, 1990, 1996</td></tr><tr><td> Phil Mickelson (USA)</td><td>3</td><td>2004, 2006, 2010</td></tr><tr><td> Horton Smith (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>1934, 1936</td></tr><tr><td> Byron Nelson (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>1937, 1942</td></tr><tr><td> Ben Hogan (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>1951, 1953</td></tr><tr><td> Tom Watson (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>1977, 1981</td></tr><tr><td> Seve Ballesteros (ESP)</td><td>2</td><td>1980, 1983</td></tr><tr><td> Bernhard Langer (GER)</td><td>2</td><td>1985, 1993</td></tr><tr><td> Ben Crenshaw (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>1984, 1995</td></tr><tr><td> José María Olazábal (ESP)</td><td>2</td><td>1994, 1999</td></tr><tr><td> Bubba Watson (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>2012, 2014</td></tr><tr><td> Scottie Scheffler (USA)</td><td>2</td><td>2022, 2024</td></tr></tbody></table>

By nationality

<table><thead><tr><th>Nationality</th><th>Wins</th><th>Winners</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> United States</td><td>64</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td> Spain</td><td>6</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td> South Africa</td><td>5</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td> England</td><td>4</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td> Germany</td><td>2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Scotland</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Wales</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Fiji</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Canada</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Argentina</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Australia</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Japan</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td> Northern Ireland</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>