By Tim Cotroneo
What records will fall this year at the 89th edition of The Masters at Augusta National? If you’ve yet to choose your winner, there are key historical details that may sway your choice.
How hard is it to repeat as champion? Does Augusta yield to the longest driver? How many putts does it take to reach the winner’s circle?
Since Horton Smith was the first Master’s champion in 1934, there have been longshots, fan favorites, and inspiring final round finishes that have captured the hearts of fans on this exciting Sunday. Let’s look at some of The Masters most amazing statistics, backstories, and poignant moments that makes this one of greatest of sports traditions.
The Runner-up Hall of Fame
Over time, rarely does one remember who came in second in a major sporting event. In most cases, the runner-up story fades into obscurity.
At The Masters, some of the greatest names in the history of golf ended up the bridesmaid. Can you guess who finished in second place not once, not twice, but four times?
Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Tom Weiskopf all finished second on four different occasions. The Golden Bear ultimately donned six green jackets, and Hogan won twice. Weiskopf played in the Masters 16 times and made the cut 15 times, but he never reached the top.
Putters On Fire
Golfers with a great short game always have a chance at Augusta. In 2024, Scottie Scheffler totaled just 109 putts total over four rounds. That’s an average of 27 putts per round.
That sizzling accumulative number is good, but the lowest ever putting performance occurred during the 2003 Masters. Mike Weir, the first Canadian to win The Masters, needed just 104 putts to earn his green jacket.
By comparison, 2000 winner Vijay Singh needed 124 putts for his total score of 278. Singh’s four rounds of 72, 67, 70, and 69 bested Ernie Els by three strokes.
An Ace at Augusta
Aces are not a common occurrence during The Masters. Who was the last golfer to score a hole in one? Stewart Cink recorded an ace on the 166-yard 16th hole in 2022.
The 155-yard, 12th hole, is the shortest hole at Augusta. Yet the hole dubbed The Golden Bell has seen just three aces during its Masters history. Claude Harmon (in 1947,) William Hyndman (in 1959,) and Curtis Strange (in 1988,) are the fortunate few to record a hole in one on this beautiful, but challenging Par 3.
Drive for Show
The original Augusta was designed by Alister Mackenzie and Robert Trent Jones to cover 6,400-yards. To compete against today’s booming driver technology, the 2025 Masters will play at 7,445 yards.
You may ask, does Augusta favor the golfer who is long off the tee? Over the recent years, the average Masters drive is 276 yards. The average number of fairways hit is 79%.
In 1997, Tiger Woods destroyed the field and The Masters driving record. The then 21-year-old prodigy averaged 323-yards off the tee. Two years later, Jose Maria Olazabal earned the green jacket with an average driving distance of 239 yards.
Repeat or Not to Repeat – That is the Question
Scottie Scheffler is a heavy Vegas favorite to repeat as a Master’s winner. Vegas says that Rory McIlroy, with seven top 10 finishes, is nipping at Scheffler’s heels to win his first green jacket.
So this begs the question, “How many golfers have won at Augusta back to back?” During its 89-year history, three players have defended their Masters titles.
Jack Nicklaus won in 1965 and 1966. Nick Faldo won back-to-back in 1989 and 1990. Tiger Woods kept his green jacket with wins in 2001 and 2002.
Can’t Wait for Thursday
Ludvig Aberg tees off first in this year’s first round of the Masters. There will be 21 golfers playing in The Masters for the first time. Three golfers have won at Augusta in their first go round.
The herculean record for most Masters appearances goes to Gary Player. The South African played at Augusta 52 times between 1957 and 2009.
So who are you picking to set a Master record or get fitted for a green jacket this year? Regardless of who wins, nearly 10 million viewers will be glued to their televisions to witness the 2025 golf season’s first major. Whether the winner is Scheffler, McIlroy, or an upstart first timer, there is no doubt that “The Masters is a tradition unlike any other.”
