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The last five winners of the Masters

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Originally scheduled for April, but postponed, due to the global coronavirus pandemic, it’s now just over a week until the much-anticipated 2020 Masters gets underway. It’s been a long wait for the professionals, and the fans alike, but at least the illustrious major has found its way back into the re-jigged calendar.

As the excitement starts to build for the 84th edition of the tournament, which our golf tipster is picking U.S. Open victor Byrson DeChambeau to win, let’s take a look at the five previous winner. Read on to find out more! 

2019 – Tiger Woods – fifth Green Jacket

Tiger Woods stunned the competition, and the spectators, at Augusta National last year. Having been written off, due to several injuries, not many people would have predicted Woods to win the Masters. However, he did just that – shooting a two-under-par round on the final day, to finish 13-under, and one shot clear of compatriots Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele, and Brooks Koepka. The victory marked the end of an 11-year wait for his 15th major, and his first Green Jacket since he won his fourth in 2005. 

2018 – Patrick Reed – first Green Jacket

In 2018, Patrick Reed, who is 25/1 to win this year’s tournament in the latest golf odds, claimed his first (and still to this day only) major title. Heading into the tournament as the world number 24, Reed held his place at the top of the leaderboard since the second round and headed into the final 18 holes with a three-shot lead over Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. The three-time major winner was heavily expected to challenge Reed for the Green Jacket in the final round. However, McIlroy once again imploded at Augusta with a two-over 74, and instead, it was fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth who put up a late fight. But, it was too little too late, and Reed held on to win by a single stroke over Fowler, whilst Spieth, who shot nine birdies, was a further stroke adrift. 

2017 – Sergio García – first Green Jacket

After losing to Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington in a play-off at The Open in 2007, Spaniard Sergio García found himself in similar circumstances ten years on, this time at Augusta. García, who was still on the hunt for his maiden major, turned a three-shot lead into a two-shot deficit with seven holes left to play. However, after a stunning comeback, García and Justin Rose teed off on the 18th hole neck-and-neck, and drama unfolded on the green, as both men missed birdie putts. Back on the 18th tee box, for a tense play-off, Rose drove into the pines, and could only salvage a bogey, leaving his counterpart, who was on the green in two, with two putts for victory. However, he only needed one – birdying the hole to win the Masters. 

2016 – Danny Willett – first Green Jacket

It was another shock victory at Augusta in 2016, as Englishman Danny Willett stunned the field, becoming the first British winner in 20 years. 2015 winner Jordan Spieth went into the final round in the lead and built his advantage to five shots as he approached the back nine. However, after dropping six shots in three holes, Sheffield’s Willett was gifted the lead, which he held onto – winning by three strokes over compatriot Lee Westwood and Spieth. It was a good year for the British, with Paul Casey tied fourth – just one shot behind Westwood – Matthew Fitzpatrick T7, and Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy T10.

2015 – Jordan Spieth – first Green Jacket

In typical fashion, McIlroy dominated the headlines in the build-up to the Masters, but it was Spieth, who was second in the 2014 edition, that added the Green Jacket to his wardrobe. The then 21-year-old broke record-after-record, as he became the first player in almost 40 years to lead from start to finish. After the first 18 holes, Spieth went into the club house as the youngest leader in Masters history. After two rounds, Spieth set a new 36-hole record (130), whilst he also broke the 54-hole record, scoring 200. Before finishing on 18-under par, which tied Woods’ record from 1997, Spieth also shot the most birdies in the history of the Masters (28). Spieth followed up his Masters victory with a U.S. Open triumph just two months later, whilst he also won the Tour Championship in September 2015. 

 

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