Masters: The 5 best tournaments at Augusta National, ranked

This year, the 88th Masters Tournament will be held at Augusta National.

There were many memorable events, but what was the best one among them?

The best-of-five tournaments vary depending on the age of the patrons.

Some might want to include older players like Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Jack Burke, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, or even Gene Sarazen.

However, after 88 years, there will probably be some legends who don’t make the list.

There are so many top performances from today’s PGA Tour and even LIV Golf players that we can’t exclude them.

The Masters thrives on tradition and preserving golf as a gentleman’s sport. It’s the first major championship of the year and one of the most exciting weeks for players and fans alike.

The Top 5 will be different for everyone, but we aimed for the most memorable and legendary moments from the Masters.

This is Playing Through’s Best 5 Masters Tournament.

5. Bubba Watson’s 2012 Masters Championship — Impossible Shot

Mention Bubba Watson’s first green jacket and people’s minds immediately go to his hook shot with a pitching wedge. It was an impossible shot, but Watson made it look easy. What’s even more interesting is that the former Georgia Bulldog did it in the playoffs against Louis Oosthuizen.

Watson hooked the shot through the pine straw around the tree and poised to two-putt for a green jacket.

He won his second title at Augusta National in 2014. But his first title will forever be etched in the minds of golf fans thanks to that shocking shot. There’s also a plaque where he hit the ball to show you how crazy it was.

4. Phil Mickelson’s 2004 Masters win

Phil Mickelson’s iconic Spread Eagle Celebration is another Augusta National moment cemented in people’s minds. Lefty had two birdies in his final three holes to beat Ernie Els.

Photo credit: David Cannon/Getty Images

He sank an 18-foot birdie putt, but it curved around the hole before falling into the cup, nearly giving him a heart attack. Mickelson gave the guests a thumbs up and smiled, showing his excitement.

After 46 appearances in major championships, he finally won the illustrious green jacket. Mickelson shot a final round 69 for a total of 9 under par and won by one shot.

3. Jack Nicklaus’ 6th Green Jacket

To make it to the top five list of Best Masters, Jack Nicklaus’ sixth green jacket has to be there. No other player has won as many games at Augusta National. Nicklaus won his last Masters title in 1986, defeating several heavy hitters.

Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Tom Kite and Tom Watson were ahead of Nicklaus in Sunday’s championship.

The front nine was uneventful for him, but Golden Bear got even better once he made the turn.

Nicklaus came home with a bogey, five birdies and the iconic eagle on the 15th for 30 shots.

The 46-year-old shot a 7-under 65 in the final round to improve his tournament total to 9-under and win by one stroke.

2. Tiger Woods’ fifth green jacket

Another incredible comeback at Augusta National came in 2019 when Tiger Woods won his fifth green jacket at age 43. On Sunday, he shot a 2-under 70 to beat Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele by one stroke.

Photo by Augusta National (via Getty Images)

After his comeback was complete, Tiger pulled his son Charlie into his arms and hugged him, giving golf fans an instant classic moment.

Tiger’s last 14 major wins have come in a tie or lead after 54 holes. In his fifth green jacket, he made history by overtaking Francesco Molinari by two strokes.

The world watched him play like his old self, and it was one of the most emotional finishes in recent memory. Although Woods moved the needle, this win is special for him because his legend continues.

1. Tiger Woods’ 12-stroke victory in 1997

His fifth green jacket was one of the greatest moments in Masters history, but Tiger Woods’ first title at Augusta National was even more impressive. It set the tone for his career and alerted other professional golfers to what kind of main players were emerging on his PGA Tour.

Woods, 21, did not get off to a good start in the 61st Masters Tournament. Through his first 16 holes, this genius struggled. However, after a conversation with Mark O’Meara, a reversal occurred.

Photo by Stephen Munday/AllSports/Getty Images

O’Meara’s words of encouragement sparked one of the most shocking performances ever at Augusta National.

Woods shot 22 under par over his final 63 holes.

He set 20 Masters Tournament records, including the then-current scoring record of 18 under par. Woods was also the youngest winner of the tournament until Jordan Spieth surpassed him in 2015.

The Big Cats won by a record 12 shots and left the field in the dust. That’s why this is the greatest Masters Tournament of all time.

In your opinion, which five masters are the best? Sound off in the comments below.

Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.