The Masters: A Legacy of Greatness
Augusta National is a place where superlatives come naturally. Jack Nicklaus insists that the Masters isn’t just another tournament, and Arnold Palmer once described returning to Georgia every year as feeling like ‘coming home’. Tiger Woods, a five-time champion at this iconic venue, has called the tournament one of those special events ‘that people just know about’. As the world’s best golfers prepare for the first major of the year, the stage is set for four days of elite competition on the greens where legends are made.
Daily Mail Sport offers an in-depth look at everything you need to know about the Masters, from the course itself to the behind-the-scenes traditions that make this event so unique.
The Course: A Test of Skill and Precision
The 2025 Masters will be remembered as the year Rory McIlroy finally broke his major drought. After waiting 11 years to win another major, he defeated Justin Rose in a tense playoff to claim his first Masters title and complete the Career Grand Slam. This achievement placed him among the elite, becoming only the sixth player in history to accomplish such a feat.
McIlroy’s victory was emotional, as he collapsed to the turf overwhelmed with emotion after sinking the final putt. His performance was nothing short of legendary, as he overcame a four-shot lead in the final round before sealing his fate in the playoff. As described by Daily Mail Sport’s chief feature writer Riath Al-Samarrai, it was a moment that redefined McIlroy’s legacy.
The Final Five Holes | Every Shot From Rory McIlroy
Watch Rory McIlroy close out the career Grand Slam and see every shot he hit starting at hole No. 15 through the conclusion of the playoff.
Since 1934, the Masters Tournament has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments. Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines, and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April ushers in a stage unique to golf and to sport. Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture the Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.
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The Masters
The Champions Dinner: A Tradition of Excellence
Before the tournament begins, the defending champion hosts all of Augusta’s former winners at a dinner of their choosing at the stately clubhouse. This ritual, held each Tuesday during tournament week, is sacred to those who attend every year.
In 2025, Rory McIlroy curated a menu inspired by his favourite restaurant, Le Bernardin, along with an Irish classic and one of his mother’s favourite appetizers. The table, approximately 40ft long, is squeezed into the small library on the second floor. If you win the tournament, a seat is yours for life, but you do have to eat whatever the defending champion has chosen.
Affordable Eats at Augusta National
While champions enjoy bottles of 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which can cost thousands of pounds, the rest of the patrons are assured of a far more reasonably priced meal. Some signature items on the menu, including the egg salad and pimento cheese sandwiches, haven’t seen their low, low prices change since 2002.
A guest shared a receipt with Daily Mail Sport showing that two Crow’s Nests, a craft beer exclusively made for the Masters, were purchased for $6 (£4.46) each. Two 16oz (473ml) beers, including tax, came to a total of $13.02 (£9.68), making them far cheaper than typical stadium prices.
Standout Names and Records
Top-ranked star: Scottie Scheffler
The world No 1 has won twice at Augusta National and will be looking to become the ninth player in history to master the course three times. However, Scheffler has struggled with form in recent events, failing to secure a top-10 finish in the three tournaments leading up to the Masters.
Augusta’s record-breakers
- Most victories – 6: Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 record still stands, with Tiger Woods the closest with five wins.
- Youngest winner – 21: Tiger Woods was 21 years old when he won in 1997.
- Most appearances – 52: Gary Player played in over half a century of Masters.
- Most early leads – 5: Justin Rose holds the dubious record.
- Course record – 63: Shared by Nick Price and Greg Norman.
- Widest margin of victory – 12: Tiger Woods won by 12 strokes in 1997.
Defending champion: Rory McIlroy
McIlroy is in the history-making business after breaking his Masters drought last year. He currently ranks world No 2 but has struggled with form in the build-up to the tournament.
Rebel star: Bryson DeChambeau
Despite never finishing higher than fifth at Augusta, DeChambeau could be in contention after a strong start to the year on the LIV Golf tour.
Last year’s runner-up: Justin Rose
Rose has been runner-up three times, including a dramatic playoff against McIlroy in 2025.
Young Swede: Ludvig Aberg
At 26, Aberg is already a perennial contender, finishing seventh last year and showing strong form heading into Augusta.
The Masters, by Numbers
- 25¢: The original price of the famous pimento cheese sandwich.
- 40,000: The number of visitors to Augusta National daily during the tournament.
- 342C: The Pantone colour code for the iconic green jacket.
- $49.99: The cost of a limited-edition garden gnome.
- 11ft: The depth of the deepest bunker on the course.
- 1,600: The number of azaleas planted on the south side of the 13th hole.
