The Masters: Why does winner get the Green Jacket?

Why does the winner of The Masters get a green jacket? It turns out, the reasoning and color of the blazer goes back centuries.

The winner of The Masters will be crowned after what’s sure to be another dramatic Sunday at Augusta National.

Everyone — and I mean every viable professional golfer — is gunning for that green jacket. But why is it green? Well, perhaps you never stopped to second guess.

It is, of course, an intriguing color choice. As it turns out, the golf legends had a reason for this.

Why did The Masters choose a Green Jacket?

Per Golf Monthly, the green jackets were introduced in 1937:

"“The Masters Green Jacket was first introduced in 1937. The idea was that Augusta National(opens in new tab) members would wear these jackets during the tournament to make them stand out to members of the public needing guidance or assistance. It was an idea borrowed from Royal Liverpool in England when a visiting Bobby Jones attended a dinner. At this dinner there was a collection of club captains who were all wearing matching jackets to denote their position.”"

Well, they sure did stand out — or blend in, considering the jackets looks an awful lot like the greens at Augusta.

Green Jacket: Are any other jackets handed out on PGA Tour?

Despite the originality of The Masters green jacket, several tournaments have since copied the style, and it’s easy to see why.

Which PGA Tour events give out a jacket?

• RBC Heritage: At Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, the winner gets a plaid jacket.
• Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial: At Colonial Country Club, the winner gets a plaid jacket.
• The Memorial Tournament: Winners don’t get a jacket, but grey jackets are used to identify members of the host club.
• Arnold Palmer Invitational: Since the passing of Arnold Palmer, winners have received a red cardigan, similar to that which Palmer wore with regularity.

No tournament can match The Masters, but you can’t blame them for trying.