If the Masters is about anything, it’s about history. Playing the same course makes it feel as though, once a year, time stands still and we can watch the current greats compete against the scores of past champions (as well as that year’s field).
Obviously, the course changes, the equipment changes and the preparation changes. Yet still it seems we are drawn to records at the Masters more than any other tournament in golf.
But not all records are created equal. Some inspire dread, others awe. Some feel incomprehensible. (You might find a few of those here, I certainly did.)
Here are 10 Masters records you should know, or you’re at least better off having heard. (All records/stats courtesy of the 2022 Masters Media Guide.)
10 Masters records you should know
Most eagles in a round: 3, Dustin Johnson, 2015, second round
DJ eagled Nos. 2, 8 and 15 to grab the record away from several others tied with two. Most of us feel pretty good if we get three eagles in our lifetime.
Most 72 holes below par: 22, Jack Nicklaus
Jack holds a lot of records at Augusta, as he does everywhere else in golf. This one seems like it might hold up for a while. Phil Mickelson is the next closest at 18, yet still several good Masters finishes away from matching.
The 10 best, most exclusive spots at stunning Augusta National Golf Club
Four subpar rounds in a single tournament: 5, Tiger Woods, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2019
Yeah, the Cat holds some records at the Masters, too. The next closest competitors in this category are Raymond Floyd, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Angel Cabrera and Mickelson, all stuck at three, so Tiger’s probably holding onto this one for a while.
Most birdies in one round: 11, Anthony Kim (65), second round, 2009
Not quite Tiger’s consistency, but when Anthony Kim got hot, there was no one like him. It’s very on-brand for Kim to sneak into the Masters record book with a flashy stat like birdies in a round before disappearing into the shadows.
Most 72-hole finishes: 37, Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus played the final round of the Masters 37 times. The next closest is Sam Snead at 31. No one comes close to Jack here. He’ll have played more Masters weekends than anyone for a long, long time.
Youngest starter-finisher: 14 years, 5 months, 12 days, Tianlang Guan (amateur), 2013
What were you doing at 14 years old? Oh, you weren’t making the cut at the Masters?
Hole No. 13, lowest score: 2, Jeff Maggert, 1994
Augusta National is full of iconic holes, but among the most popular is No. 13, Azalea. For all the years competitors have been going for this par-5 in two, only one player has ever found the bottom of the cup with their second stroke. It was in the final round, with a 3-iron from 222 yards. And now Jeff Maggert lives in the Augusta history books for eternity.
Most attempts before first victory: 19, Sergio Garcia
It doesn’t matter how many tries as long as you finally get the job done. The next longest wait for the maiden victory was Mark O’Meara, who won on his 15th attempt.
Oldest first-time winner: 41 years, 3 months, 29 days, Mark O’Meara, 1998
Speaking of O’Meara, when he finally won, he was the oldest first-time winner.
Largest 54-hole lead lost: 6 strokes, Greg Norman, 1996
A final-round 78 left Norman in second place, five behind winner Nick Faldo. This one probably still stings.