KSL Sports Reveals Top Five Masters Moments Of All Time
Apr 13, 2020, 12:02 PM | Updated: 12:03 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Sportsbeat hosts Jeremiah Jensen and Sam Farnsworth shared their top five Masters moments of all time on Easter Sunday, a day when golf lovers should have been on their couch watching the final round of the 2020 event.
5. Phil Mickelson Wins First Green Jacket
In 2004, Phil Mickelson, who at the time was ranked as the 10th best golfer in the world, made a big birdie putt on 18 of Augusta to clinch his first green jacket. Mickelson teed off on the final day with a three-shot lead over the South African, Ernie Els and would only just hold off The Big Easy who ended up shooting a 67 on Sunday.
Mickelson would make a big 10-foot birdie putt on 18 to seal the win by one shot. He shot a final-round score of 69.
4. Larry Mize Holds Off Seve Ballesteros For Win In A Playoff
The 1987 Masters was one of the most entertaining events in history. Larry Mize and Seve Ballesteros were tied following their final round after they both posted a one-under 71.
It took a second playoff hole and a remarkable chip in for the two to be separated. The hole-out, which has since been defined as his “one career-defining shot” gave Mize his only Major championship victory.
3. Palmer Birdies 17,18 To Win By 1
It took a miracle in 1960 for Arnold Palmer to secure his second of four green jackets, however, nobody doubted “The King’s” ability to make a run down the stretch.
Palmer would ultimately birdie the 17th and 18th hole to hold off Ken Venturi and secure the 1960’s Masters by one stroke. He finished with a final-round score of one-under, 70.
2. Nicklaus Wins Final Green Jacket Of Career
The Golden Bear won 18 major tournaments, including 6 Masters Tournaments. His final green jacket came in 1986 at the tender age of 46, becoming the oldest player to ever win the tournament.
Despite being down 6 strokes with just 10 holes to play. Nicklaus would post a 30 on the back 9 and a final round score of 65 to hold off Tom Kite by 1 stroke. Kite would shoot a 4-under 68 on Sunday but could not hold off the greatest of all time.
1. Tiger Chips In On 16 In Iconic Sporting Moment
Forget about iconic Masters moments. The Tiger Woods chip-in on 16 on the final day of the 2005 Masters is one of the most recognizable moments in all of sport. Donning his intimidating red Nike mock-turtle neck, Woods found himself in the rough, left of the pin on the dangerous Par 3, 16th. Woods chipped well above the hole, allowing gravity to take over and trickle towards the cup, then, just as the ball looked as though it was not going to fall, the world stared at the Nike logo stamped on the ball and within the blink of an eye the ball had disappeared into the hole.
Woods celebrated with an archetypical fist pump.
He would eventually go on to win his fourth green jacket in a playoff hole against Chris DiMarco.
Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.