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Masters Tournament Records
Augusta National Golf Club has been the stage for the Masters Tournament since 1934, producing an unrivaled collection of records and historic performances. From Jack Nicklaus's 46-year-old charge in 1986 to Tiger Woods' dominant 12-stroke victory in 1997, the Masters has given golf some of its most enduring records.
All-Time Masters Records Summary
| Record | Holder | Year | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest single round | Nick Price / Greg Norman | 1986 / 1996 | 63 (-9), shared record |
| Lowest 72-hole score | Dustin Johnson | 2020 | 268 (-20), November edition |
| Most Masters titles | Jack Nicklaus | 1963–1986 | 6 wins (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986) |
| Youngest champion | Tiger Woods | 1997 | 21 years, 3 months, 14 days |
| Oldest champion | Jack Nicklaus | 1986 | 46 years, 2 months, 23 days |
| Largest winning margin | Tiger Woods | 1997 | 12 strokes |
| Back-to-back champions | Nicklaus / Faldo / Woods | 1965–66 / 1989–90 / 2001–02 | Only 3 pairs in history |
| Lowest April 72-hole score | Tiger Woods / Jordan Spieth | 1997 / 2015 | 270 (-18), tied |
Single-Round Record: The 63
The 63 at Augusta National is one of golf's most storied numbers. Two players have reached it; no one has broken it in competition.
Nick Price — Round 3, 1986
Nick Price's third-round 63 in 1986 came during one of the greatest Masters weekends in history — the same tournament Jack Nicklaus won at 46. Price's round contained eight birdies and a single bogey, a remarkable performance on a course that demands patience and precision. Despite his brilliant 63, Price finished tied for 6th — illustrating just how dominant Nicklaus's closing 65 was that week.
Greg Norman — Round 1, 1996
Greg Norman matched Price's 63 in the opening round of the 1996 Masters, building a 6-shot lead through 36 holes. His opening 63 contained nine birdies and no bogeys. The 1996 Masters ultimately became one of golf's most heartbreaking stories — Norman shot 78 in the final round, losing to Nick Faldo by 5 shots. But his opening 63 remains among the finest rounds ever played at Augusta.
Why 63 Is So Hard to Break at Augusta
- Par-5 eagle requirement: A 62 would require eagling multiple par-5s while making birdies on nearly every other hole — a near-impossible combination under tournament conditions.
- Green complexity: Augusta's greens are among the fastest on the PGA Tour with severe undulation. Three-putts can derail any great round in an instant.
- Amen Corner pressure: Holes 11–13 feature water hazards that punish even slight errors, making it very difficult to sustain a record-pace round through the back nine.
72-Hole Scoring Records
| Score | To Par | Player | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 268 | -20 | Dustin Johnson | 2020 | All-time record; November COVID edition; won by 5 |
| 270 | -18 | Tiger Woods | 1997 | April record (tied); won by 12 shots, age 21 |
| 270 | -18 | Jordan Spieth | 2015 | April record (tied); wire-to-wire win at age 21 |
| 271 | -17 | Patrick Reed | 2018 | Won by 1 over McIlroy and Fowler |
| 272 | -16 | Rory McIlroy | 2025 | Career Grand Slam; won playoff vs Justin Rose |
| 272 | -16 | Scottie Scheffler | 2024 | Won by 4 shots; dominant performance |
Note: DJ's 2020 record was set in November (softer Augusta conditions). The April record of -18 is held by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Most Masters Titles
| Wins | Player | Years Won | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Jack Nicklaus | 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986 | 1963–1986 |
| 5 | Tiger Woods | 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019 | 1997–2019 |
| 4 | Arnold Palmer | 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964 | 1958–1964 |
| 3 | Nick Faldo | 1989, 1990, 1996 | 1989–1996 |
| 3 | Gary Player | 1961, 1974, 1978 | 1961–1978 |
| 3 | Sam Snead | 1949, 1952, 1954 | 1949–1954 |
| 3 | Phil Mickelson | 2004, 2006, 2010 | 2004–2010 |
Youngest and Oldest Masters Champions
Youngest Champions
| Age | Player | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 yrs, 3 mo | Tiger Woods | 1997 | Youngest ever; won by 12 strokes |
| 21 yrs, 11 mo | Jordan Spieth | 2015 | Second youngest; wire-to-wire -18 |
| 23 yrs | Seve Ballesteros | 1980 | First European winner |
Oldest Champions
| Age | Player | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 yrs, 2 mo | Jack Nicklaus | 1986 | Oldest ever; closing 65 was legendary |
| ~42 yrs | Mark O'Meara | 1998 | Won at age 41; first major |
| 43 yrs | Gary Player | 1978 | Third Masters title at 42 |
Largest Winning Margins in Masters History
| Margin | Player | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 strokes | Tiger Woods | 1997 | 270 (-18) |
| 9 strokes | Jack Nicklaus | 1965 | 271 (-17); dominated Palmer and Player |
| 8 strokes | Ray Floyd | 1976 | 271 (-17); tied Nicklaus's tournament record at the time |
| 5 strokes | Dustin Johnson | 2020 | 268 (-20); record-setting November win |
| 4 strokes | Scottie Scheffler | 2024 | 272 (-16); dominant wire-to-wire |
Jack Nicklaus's 1986 Masters: The Greatest Victory?
No record summary of the Masters is complete without examining Jack Nicklaus's extraordinary 1986 win. At 46 years old — an age when most professional golfers have been retired for a decade — Nicklaus entered Sunday in a modest position, four back of the leaders. What followed is considered the greatest final round in major championship history.
- Back-nine scoring: Nicklaus played the back nine in 30 strokes on Sunday — six under par
- Holes 15–17: Eagle on 15, birdie on 16, birdie on 17 — three consecutive holes in four under par
- Gallery reaction: The roars from Augusta's galleries as Nicklaus charged up the leaderboard are legendary in golf history
- Final round 65: His closing 65 remains one of the most celebrated rounds ever played
- Oldest ever: At 46 years, 2 months, 23 days, he set a record that still stands nearly 40 years later
Nicklaus's 1986 win was his 18th and final major — both his oldest-ever-champion record and his most-wins-at-the-Masters record (6) are considered permanent fixtures of Augusta National history. See Nicklaus's full major record →
Tiger Woods' 1997 Dominance
Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters holds two records simultaneously — youngest champion (21) and largest winning margin (12 strokes). His -18 (270) stood as the April record for 18 years until Jordan Spieth matched it in 2015. The performance:
- Rounds: 70-66-65-69 = 270 (-18)
- Winning margin: 12 shots over Tom Kite (runner-up at -6)
- Age: 21 years, 3 months, 14 days — youngest Masters champion ever
- Impact: Tiger's dominance drew unprecedented TV audiences and is widely credited with the "Tiger Effect" that transformed professional golf's popularity globally
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lowest single-round score in Masters history?
The lowest single-round score in Masters history is 63 (-9), a record shared by two players: Nick Price (third round, 1986) and Greg Norman (first round, 1996). The record has stood since 1996. Augusta National's par-72 layout, fast greens, and Amen Corner make a 62 or lower extremely unlikely even for the world's best players.
What is the lowest 72-hole score in Masters history?
Dustin Johnson holds the 72-hole record at 268 (-20), set in November 2020 when the tournament was rescheduled due to COVID-19. The softer Augusta conditions that autumn contributed to historically low scoring. In April Masters editions, the record is 270 (-18), shared by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Who has won the most Masters titles?
Jack Nicklaus has won the most Masters titles with 6 victories (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986). Tiger Woods is second with 5 wins (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019). Nicklaus's record is generally considered one of the most unbreakable in golf — no active player has more than 4 Masters wins and would need a remarkable late-career run to threaten 6.
Who is the youngest Masters champion?
Tiger Woods is the youngest Masters champion, winning in 1997 at age 21 years, 3 months, and 14 days. His 12-stroke victory and -18 total (270) also set tournament records at the time. Jordan Spieth (21 at his 2015 win) is the second-youngest Masters champion.
Who is the oldest Masters champion?
Jack Nicklaus is the oldest Masters champion at 46 years, 2 months, and 23 days when he won his 6th Masters in 1986. His final-round 65 is considered one of the greatest competitive rounds in golf history. The record has stood for nearly 40 years.
What is the largest winning margin in Masters history?
The largest winning margin in Masters history is 12 strokes, set by Tiger Woods in 1997. Tiger finished at -18 (270); runner-up Tom Kite finished at -6 (282). The second-largest margin is 9 strokes, set by Jack Nicklaus in 1965.