Top 10 shots in the history of The Masters
By Luke Norris
1. Gene Sarazen, 15th hole (1935)
The greatest shot in Masters history didn’t even technically happen at The Masters. Back in 1935, in just its second year of existence, Bobby Jones’ creation was still called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, which just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?
Coming into the tournament, 33-year-old Gene Sarazen was already recognized as one of the greatest players in the world. He had won two U.S. Open titles (1922, 1932), three PGA Championships (1922, 1923, 1933) and also an Open Championship (1932). The 1935 Masters would wind up being his sixth and final major championship and he did so in dramatic fashion.
He began the tournament with a solid, 4-under round of 68 and trailed leader Henry Picard by just one stroke. He still trailed Picard after the second day but the deficit was now four. However, Picard struggled to a 76 in round three and Sarazen trailed leader Craig Wood by three heading into Sunday’s final round.
Sarazen would eventually cut the lead down to one but some timely birdies by Wood jumped it back up to three as Sarazen headed to the par-5 15th. After a good drive in the fairway, Sarazen stood 235 yards from the hole and couldn’t decide on 3-wood or 4-wood. He didn’t think he could get the loft he needed on the three to clear the water and decided on the four. It turned out to be the right choice. Sarazen let it fly and not only did the ball clear the water, it landed on the green and went right in the hole for a double-eagle, something that really doesn’t happen that often now and surely didn’t back then given the equipment.
The shot erased Wood’s three-stroke lead and The Squire would go on to win the tournament in a 36-hole playoff. It’s known as “the shot heard ’round the world” and the shot that brought international recognition to The Masters. Some even call it the best shot in the long and storied history of golf.
Next: Ranking all 18 holes at Augusta National
What’s your favorite shot in Masters history? Who do you think will take home the green jacket this year? Please feel free to join in the conversation in the comments section below.