The Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, hosted the first-ever Masters Tournament in 1934. Founded by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts, Augusta National was envisioned as a haven for golf purists. The course, designed by Jones and famed British architect Alister MacKenzie, provided a picturesque yet challenging layout that would soon become the setting for one of golf’s greatest traditions.
The inaugural tournament, originally called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, took place from March 22 to March 25, 1934. It featured a field of 72 players, including some of the biggest names in golf at the time. Unlike today’s tournament, the first Masters was played with a different routing—what is now the back nine was originally played as the front nine, and vice versa. This was later changed in 1935 to improve the tournament’s flow and excitement.
One of the key figures in the tournament’s early success was Horton Smith, who became the first Masters champion. Smith secured victory with a score of 284, finishing four strokes ahead of Craig Wood. He claimed the winner’s share of $1,500 from the $5,000 purse—modest by modern standards but significant at the time. His precise putting on Augusta’s famously fast greens proved to be the difference-maker.
From its inception, the Masters quickly gained a reputation for its beauty, exclusivity, and innovation. Augusta National introduced many traditions that have stood the test of time, including the iconic green jacket awarded to the champion, which began in 1949. The tournament also became known for its impeccable course conditions, the blooming azaleas, and the dramatic final rounds that often define golf history.
The Masters’ first edition laid the foundation for what would become one of golf’s most celebrated annual events. Today, it is one of the four major championships in professional golf and the only one played at the same venue every year. Augusta National’s commitment to tradition and excellence has helped the Masters become a symbol of prestige and achievement in the sport.
Nearly a century after that first tournament, the Masters remains a cornerstone of golf, drawing the best players from around the world and capturing the imagination of fans with its unique blend of history, competition, and tradition.
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