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Masters 2019: Our photographer’s 9 favorite Masters images

By Christian Hafer
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April 18, 2019
Christian Hafer grabbed a few Nikon cameras to photograph Augusta National for the first time last week.

We asked Christian Hafer, an up-an-coming golf photographer, to spend the week at the 2019 Masters Tournament and document it in a unique, fresh way. That means focusing less on the golfers inside the ropes and more on the experience and the ethos that Augusta National provides. He snapped 6,600 photographs in seven days, and you can scroll through 100 of them here. But now that he’s had a few days to reflect, he’s chosen his nine favorite Masters images. These are the images that, for him, stand out as especially memorable. He’s written the captions, which appear under each image, to offer a backstory. Hope you enjoy this curated collection as much as we do. —Ashley Mayo

With most photographers positioned to the right of the tee box, I wanted to show the entire scene from a patron's view. I hustled from 10 over to 12 to watch the group in front dunk two balls as Tiger's group walked up. When I saw two more balls go in the water I snapped this image and knew the round had fallen into Tiger's lap. I suspect he knew it as well.
With most photographers positioned to the right of the tee box, I wanted to show the entire scene from a patron's view. I hustled from 10 over to 12 to watch the group in front dunk two balls as Tiger's group walked up. When I saw two more balls go in the water I snapped this image and knew the round had fallen into Tiger's lap. I suspect he knew it as well.
Christian Hafer
Hogan's Bridge is iconic, of course, and showing it in a new light was a personal goal. So when I walked down early one morning and saw the first foot steps etched in the dew, I knew I had it.
Hogan's Bridge is iconic, of course, and showing it in a new light was a personal goal. So when I walked down early one morning and saw the first foot steps etched in the dew, I knew I had it.
Christian Hafer
The course provides so many frames, sight-lines and unique perspectives — you just have to work to find them. Making viewers guess where a photo was taken from is a joy for me. (Spoiler alert: it was the 6th green.)
The course provides so many frames, sight-lines and unique perspectives — you just have to work to find them. Making viewers guess where a photo was taken from is a joy for me. (Spoiler alert: it was the 6th green.)
Christian Hafer
Nostalgia is part of what makes the Masters so beloved, and nothing is more nostalgic than its leaderboards, which are operated by hand in teams of two or three. Notice the names written in chalk to the far right.
Nostalgia is part of what makes the Masters so beloved, and nothing is more nostalgic than its leaderboards, which are operated by hand in teams of two or three. Notice the names written in chalk to the far right.
Christian Hafer
This image captures the perfection of ANGC and its attention to every single detail.
This image captures the perfection of ANGC and its attention to every single detail.
Christian Hafer
The day before the leaderboards fill with scores, they lay quiet as a morning fog burns off. All of these elements converge to create a dreamy landscape.
The day before the leaderboards fill with scores, they lay quiet as a morning fog burns off. All of these elements converge to create a dreamy landscape.
Christian Hafer
Deep into the trees and crowds on the Par 3 course, an ANGC member and his wife stand and watch the fun. Something about the colors, the sunlight filtering through the trees, and capturing this member being a fan like everyone else struck me.
Deep into the trees and crowds on the Par 3 course, an ANGC member and his wife stand and watch the fun. Something about the colors, the sunlight filtering through the trees, and capturing this member being a fan like everyone else struck me.
Christian Hafer
This flag, which stands alert on the eighth green even as wind gusts try to take it down, is situated among some massive mounds. This angle is one of the best viewing spots of the eighth and ninth holes, and the starkness of black and white suit this hole well.
This flag, which stands alert on the eighth green even as wind gusts try to take it down, is situated among some massive mounds. This angle is one of the best viewing spots of the eighth and ninth holes, and the starkness of black and white suit this hole well.
Christian Hafer
The 18th hole has so many beautiful layers to it. What I enjoy most about this image is how well the fairway bunkers seem to align with the greenside bunker.
The 18th hole has so many beautiful layers to it. What I enjoy most about this image is how well the fairway bunkers seem to align with the greenside bunker.
Christian Hafer