The 25 Most Impressive Masters Records

Staged at Augusta National Golf Club since 1934, The Masters has defined many a career and has grown into becoming the most iconic of tournaments.

Because we return to the same venue each year, we recognise the holes, can recall shots played in previous decades, and can easily compare moments to what we've seen in the past. 

It also means that there is a vast library of relevant statistics that tell the story of the season's first major championship.

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Here are just some of the most impressive Masters records.

Jack Nicklaus - 6 Victories

When you start with Masters records, Jack Nicklaus is at the summit, not least because of his six victories. The Golden Bear won in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986. His winning span of 23 years is a record. He is the oldest champion. He was also the first player to successfully defend the title and set a scoring record (in 1965) that stood for 32 years.

Nick Faldo - 3 Wins, No Top 10s

The Englishman made the most of his opportunities in his three triumphs as he didn't record a solitary top ten finish beyond those titles. Winning playoffs in 1989 and 1990, Faldo then unforgettably crushed Greg Norman in 1996 but didn't contend in other years, displaying a remarkable level of clinical efficiency.

Wire-to-Wire Champions

Leading the tournament from start to finish is most impressive as it shows dominance and the ability to handle the pressure of the situation over four consecutive days. Craig Wood in 1941 was the first wire-to-wire champion, and he was memorably joined by Arnold Palmer in 1960. Naturally, Jack Nicklaus achieved that in 1972, as did an imperious Raymond Floyd in 1976, but it was four decades later until the next occasion when Jordan Spieth led all the way in 2015.

Tiger Woods - 12 Stroke Win + Youngest

The 1997 Masters was transformative. After going out in 40 on the front nine in the first round, Tiger Woods turned it all around to lap the field, winning by 12 shots, setting a new scoring record, and becoming the youngest champion in history. This tournament - and golf - was never the same again.

Jack Burke - 8-Stroke Final Round Comeback

The 1956 Masters saw brutal conditions and it was amateur Ken Venturi who led the way after three rounds. However, the young man struggled on the last day, opening the door for Jack Burke, Jr. who was one of just two players to break par on that occasion to make up an eight-shot deficit to win the Masters.

Fuzzy Zoeller - Debut Champion

It's long been said that Augusta National requires experience before you can win there, and that has largely been the case. Horton Smith and Gene Sarazen won the first two tournaments, but apart from that, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 is the only debutant to have slipped into the Green Jacket.

Sergio Garcia - 19 Attempts to Win

Zoeller won instantly, but it took Sergio Garcia a lot longer to enjoy his moment. Having made his debut - becoming the low amateur - in 1999, the Spaniard had to wait until his 19th attempt before he won the Masters in 2017, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff.

Scottie Scheffler - 2 Wins in 5 Attempts

The world number one has had a quick start to his Masters career. Horton Smith won two of the first three Masters Tournaments, but in winning twice in his first five attempts, Scheffler has claimed two victories faster than the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Mark O’Meara - Oldest First-Time Champion

When is it too late to become a Masters champion? When he won in 1998, Mark O'Meara was 41 and the American remains the oldest first-time winner at Augusta National.

Jeff Sluman - Ace on 4th Hole

We've seen a number of hole-in-ones made on the other par threes at Augusta, but only one on the longest of the short holes, the fourth. Using a four-iron, former PGA champion Jeff Sluman holed his tee shot from 213 yards in 1992, the first and (to date) only time that has been accomplished.

Gene Sarazen - Albatross on 15

One of the most famous shots in Masters history - before the age of television - was that of Gene Sarazen in 1935 when he made an albatross on the 15th hole in the final round. Holing a four-wood from 235 yards, the legendary American went on to win that tournament and remains the only player to have made a two on that iconic par five.

Nick Price & Greg Norman - 63s

Neither Nick Price nor Greg Norman won the Masters, but they do hold the record for the lowest round at Augusta National. Price launched himself into contention in 1986 with a third round of 63, but couldn't replicate that on Sunday. A decade later, Norman pulled ahead of the field with his 63 on the Thursday before establishing a six-shot advantage going into the final day, which he ultimately squandered against Nick Faldo.

Gary Player - 52 Appearances

When you think of longevity, it's hard to beat Gary Player. The three-time champion - courtesy of a lifetime exemption - played in a staggering 52 Masters Tournaments from his debut in 1957 to the last in 2009 aged 73, with one missed in 1973. Effectively, he spent 52 weeks of his life, a whole year, playing in the Masters.

Gary Player - Lowest Final Round to Win - 64

There have been several rounds of 64 shot on the final day, but only one that led to a victory. 42-year-old Gary Player produced a staggering finish in 1978, making birdie on seven of his last nine holes to win his third title by a shot ahead of Rod Funseth, Hubert Green and Tom Watson.

Tiger Woods - Four Subpar Rounds in FIVE Tournaments

Showcasing just how remarkable his record has been here, Tiger Woods has shot all four rounds under par in five different tournaments, which is a record.

Anthony Kim - 11 Birdies in One Round

If you weren't paying attention at the time, you might wonder why there was a cult following around Anthony Kim, but much of that can be attributed to his second round in 2009 when the American made a record 11 birdies.

Jordan Spieth - 28 Birdies in One Tournament

Shooting rounds of 64, 66, 70 and 70, Jordan Spieth made a tournament record of 28 birdies in 2015, which was a display that many believed would signal the start of a dynasty, but the Texan is yet to secure a second victory here.

Tiger Woods - Scoring Average 100+ Rounds - 71.30

Having played 100 competitive rounds, Woods has a scoring average of 71.30, which is a record that may not be beaten.

Phil Mickelson - Oldest Runner-up - 52 years 297 days

We shouldn't underestimate just how great Phil Mickelson has been through the years at Augusta National, but he gave us a reminder in 2023 when the three-time winner finished runner-up at the age of 52 years and 297 days.

Arnold Palmer - Led After 14 Rounds

The King was a factor here for many years and stunningly led after 14 different rounds during his career, which is a record that could remain his forever.

Arnold Palmer - 50 Consecutive Appearances

Likewise, it's unlikely that anyone will ever play in 50 consecutive Masters Tournaments, but that is exactly what Palmer accomplished between 1955 and 2004.

Jack Nicklaus - Most Cuts Made at 37

Another record that probably won't fall, Jack Nicklaus played in 45 Masters Tournaments and made the cut in 37 of them, which is six ahead of his nearest challenger, Fred Couples.

Tiger Woods - Consecutive Cuts Made at 24

Displaying his unrelenting competitive spirit, despite clearly struggling, Tiger Woods made the cut in 2024, which was the 24th consecutive time that he had done so, creating a new Masters record.

Jack Nicklaus - Top 5 15 Times

A six-time winner, and a four-time runner-up, both records, Jack Nicklaus was in the top five at the Masters on an incredible 15 occasions.

Tom Kite - Top 5 9 Times

Tom Kite never won the Masters, but few played better here for longer. The Texan was in the top five at Augusta nine times, including runner-up finishes in 1983, 1986 and 1997.

Jack Nicklaus - 22 Top 10s

Returning to Nicklaus, as you always will at Augusta, the Golden Bear recorded an amazing 22 top ten finishes at the Masters, including his last aged 58 in 1998.

Fred Couples - Oldest to Make Cut

Part of the furniture at Augusta National, Fred Couples is one of the most enduringly popular champions at the Masters, and he etched another chapter in that history in 2023 when he became the oldest player to make the cut at the age of 63 years, six months, and five days.

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