OTHER GREAT MASTERS MOMENTS
TIGERMANIA BEGINS IN 1997, CONTINUES WITH SLAM
In a watershed moment for golf, Tiger Woods became the first player of black heritage to win the Masters. He set 20 records, the most notable his 12-shot margin of victory. While he won during the 50-year celebration of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, there were equal parallels to Jack Nicklaus. No one had ever seen golf dominated in this fashion with Woods' combination of power, putting and remarkable savvy for a 21-year-old. After a 40 on the front nine of the opening round, Woods followed with a 30 and then found another gear. He closed with 66-65-69 to set the 72-hole record at 270. Tiger Woods closed out the 2000 season by winning the final three majors, and he arrived at Augusta National in 2001 with a chance to hold all four professional majors, an unprecedented feat. Lost in the debate over whether a Masters victory would constitute a real Grand Slam was the star power on the back nine Sunday — Woods playing in the final group with Phil Mickelson, with David Duval making a charge. Woods never blinked in the face of this once-in-a-career opportunity.
MICKELSON'S LEAP
No one wore the label of "best to never win a major" like Phil Mickelson. The popular "Lefty" had won 22 times on the PGA Tour and endured nothing but heartache in the majors. That changed one Sunday at Augusta National in 2004 when he was caught in an explosive duel with Ernie Els. Mickelson came to the 18th hole tied for the lead. Els was on the practice green to get ready for a playoff when Mickelson's 18-foot birdie putt caught the edge of the cup, swirled around and disappears. He leaped in the air.
SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD
In 1935, it looked certain that Craig Wood would win when he finished at 6-under 282. Only a few players remained on the course. One of them was Gene Sarazen. One of his assistants reported that Sarazen had made a 2 on the par-5 15th. Sure enough, Sarazen holed out with a 4-wood from 235 yards for an albatross — a double eagle it was called that day — the rarest shot in golf. Sarazen won in a playoff.