There's nothing better than settling in on Sunday afternoon and watching the back nine of The Masters. My first memory of the Masters was 1986, and I'm so glad this was my first memory. Funny thing, I don't recall watching Bernhard Langer in 1985 but can remember the day vividly in 1986. So for that reason, this list is my Top 10 Masters from 1986 to 2016. Over the last few years I've enjoyed The Masters but for some reason I feel it's lacked excitement with the exception of Bubba Watson's playoff win over Louis Oosthuizen. Not that it hasn't been dramatic with Charl Schwartzel in 2011 making birdie on each of his final three holes to win or Zach Johnson in 2007 laying up on all the par 5's to have the highest winning score since Sam Snead's 289 in 1956. Then there's Fred Couples great run in 2006 where he finished T2 and Kenny Perry's bogey - bogey finish then a bogey on the first playoff hole to eventually bow out to Angel Cabrera. My least memorable in the past 10 years has to be Trevor Immelman in 2008, where he posted a 75 on the final day to win by 3.
Here's my Top 10 and I encourage you to share any Masters memories that have been inspiring to you.
10. 1995 - Ben CrenshawIn my early junior days I was told to read Harvey Penick's Little Red Book. It still ranks as one of my favourite golf books. The story in 1995 was a great feel good story and so fitting when Crenshaw battled his emotions to win his second green jacket.9. 2001 - Tiger WoodsIt was amazing to see Tiger win all four major titles in a row. Something we may never see again. In 2000, I was at the Canadian Open when Tiger became only the second person to win all three National Titles in the same year (U.S. Open, British Open, & Canadian Open). From 2000 to 2001 Woods displayed one of the most dominant stretches in golf history.8. 1996 - Nick FaldoMost people would argue this Masters as the most excruciating final round to watch . Greg Norman started the final round with a 6 shot lead and his score of 78 left Nick Faldo with a 5 shot win and his third green jacket. People need to remember the great final round Faldo put together. He fired a 5 under par 67 and was relentless on applying pressure that contributed to Norman's final round collapse.7. 2004 - Phil MickelsonPhil Mickelson found a way to finally win and did it in style. Birdie on the final hole to finish one shot ahead of Ernie Els and capture his first green jacket. Many people will remember Phil's first Masters win by the famous jump in celebration as he made the putt on 18 to win.6. 1989 - Nick FaldoI remember sitting with my dad and brothers watching the playoff between Nick Faldo and Scott Hoch. We were certain that Hoch would make the downhill 2 footer on the 10th hole and become a very unlikely winner of the event. However, we were shocked when he missed the putt and even more shocked when Faldo made a 30 footer on the 11th to win his first Masters Tournament.5. 1997 - Tiger WoodsNot much I can say here. Total dominance and a record breaking performance. This was the start of my favourite era in golf. However, we almost forget of the wonderful performance by Tom Kite. He finished in a distant second 12 shots behind.4. 1992 - Fred CouplesAt 12 years old I was in love with golf. Fred Couples was such a great player to watch and learn from. His tempo and demeanor were exactly what you wanted to emulate. He was the best player on the planet in 1992. With Raymond Floyd applying pressure early in the back nine, Couples came to the par three 12th. He hit his shot slightly heavy and drifted short right. The ball came to rest on the side of the bank mere inches from Ray's Creek. He proceeded to hit one of the most famous shots in Masters history, made par and eventually won by two strokes.3. 2005 - Tiger WoodsThis might have been the last nail biter or edge of your seat Masters in the last 10 years. The unlikely battle between Chris Dimarco and Tiger Woods has to rank up with Bob May and Tiger Woods at the 2000 PGA Championship. After 45 holes, Dimarco had a four shot lead over Tiger. But at the conclusion of the third round Tiger was leading by 3 shots. In the final round on 16, Tiger hit probably the most advertised shot in golf, with his Nike ball hanging on the lip for seconds before it finally dropped for birdie. On the final hole, Tiger was leading by one shot. Dimarco hit his approach 15 yards short while Tiger was in the greenside bunker. Dimarco pitched up, hit the flag, and finished 10 feet from the hole. Tiger blasted from the bunker to 14 feet and missed his par attempt. Dimarco made the 10 footer for par and force a playoff. Tiger dashed Dimarco's dream by making a birdie on the first playoff hole and win his fourth Green Jacket.2. 2003 - Mike WeirAs a Canadian, this might have been the most patriotic moment for many since the 1972 Summit Series. For me, watching Mike Weir playing as an amateur in the 1992 Canadian Open, to the Canadian Tour, and finally on the PGA Tour was extremely exciting to see him win in 2003. His putting performance was by far the best we ever saw from him that Sunday afternoon. The final round that Len Mattiace put together was remarkable and if not for a bogey on 18, he would've become a Masters Champion. However, after Weir made the biggest 6 foot putt of his life on the 18th, the pair went to a playoff. On the first playoff hole (10th), Mattiace pulled his approach far left and proceeded to make a double bogey 6. Weir had three putts to win and made 5 to become the first Canadian to win a Major Championship.1. 1986 - Jack NicklausBetween the 2003 and 1986 Masters, I didn't know which of these to choose as number one. However, every time I watch the highlights of 1986, I get incredibly mesmerized. There's no question, Jack's final triumph was one of true style. Every year when Masters Week gets close, we are always reminded of that great Sunday afternoon where Nicklaus shot 30 on the back nine. We see the "Yes Sir!" putt and hear Verne Lundquist's call in the opening of every Sunday at The Masters. I wish I could go back in time and listen to the roars the other players were hearing as Jack made birdie after birdie. It was my first memory of The Masters Tournament and truly believe we will never see a storied win like that again. Tom Watson nearly did the unthinkable at the 2009 Open Championship, but there's just something about 1986. To this day it still inspires me and as a junior I can remember making putts on the putting green late in the evening replicating that magical putt on 17. So for pure adrenaline and sentimental reasons, I ranked it as number 1 in my memories.
This article brought to you byLowville Golf Club
Jim Kenesky has been a member of the PGA of Canada since 2007 and currently owns the Great Lakes Golf Tour. Jim has been a long time member of Lowville Golf Club and was the Assistant Golf Professional from 2007 to 2009.
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