A tradition unlike any other, The Masters is a legendary golf event meant for players to step up to the task of becoming legends themselves. Most leave in defeat, some leave with heartbreak, while only a few rise to the top to claim the illustrious green jacket.

Starting in January, when I see the first Masters commercial on TV, I start counting down the days until the time I can sit back and enjoy the show. The Masters gets me through the dark days of winter - knowing it is waiting there for me on the other side every single year - I can get through the darkness at 4pm, I can get through the massive piles of snow, and I can get through the brutal Maine wind chill. If you’re anything like me and count down the days, hours, minutes until the first tee off check out this website (and then come back here): https://howmanydaystill.com/its/masters-2019 - gives you exactly what you need.

As you know, the most iconic tournament in golf also produces golf’s most iconic moments - here is a breakdown from the tenth to first:

10. Gary Player started 7 shots back in 1978

Gary Player was 42 years old, and started the day 7-shots back from the leader. Player birdied 7 of his final 10 holes shooting a 30 on the back 9 to win his third and final green jacket and his ninth major title. Player holed 7 putts ranging from 10-30 feet with a final 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. His final round 64 was enough to overcome the 54-hole leader who shot an even par 72.

9. Lara Mize sinks epic chip in 1987 Masters to win

Some described Lara Mize as the forgotten competitor as he entered a playoff against Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros, two of the most legendary names in the game of golf.

However, right off the bat Seve was eliminated on the first playoff hole leaving just Mize and Norman to battle. On the next hole, Lara missed the green by a wide margin with Norman in much better position - making it appear as though Norman was in prime position to win (as expected at this point). Instead, Lara had other ideas in mind - he drained his chip for birdie and in doing so cratered Norman’s most likely chance to win The Masters. Greg finished out his career never winning a green jacket.

8. Arnold Palmer in 1960 birdied the last 2 holes

The legend of Arnold Palmer includes a birdie, birdie finish in the 1960 Masters tournament sneaking the title from the grasps of the leader Ken Venturi.

In what was one of the first televised Masters tournaments, Palmer’s win helped to contribute to his everlasting fame and to become the ‘darling’ of the golfing world.

7. Phil’s first major win in 2004

Phil made it 2004 with 12 top-5 finishes in majors, but had not captured a single title. The golfing world awaited for Phil to close out a major with a win, as his polished golfing career was missing that major moment.

Finally, it happened as Phil shot a 31 on the back 9 of the 2004 Masters. Phil sealed his victory with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that lifted him to win The Masters by just one shot. Mickelson jumped for joy as the putt was drained, but his feet barely made it off ground.

6. Louis Oosthuizen and Bubba Watson in 2012

Well, early on Sunday Louis Oosthuizen got the crowd going with a rare albatross on the second hole. The shot would help Louis fight his way into a playoff against Bubba Watson.

On the second playoff hole, Bubba hit an errant tee shot into the trees leaving him a nearly impossible chance to save par. Bubba achieved the improbable hooking a 163-yard shot around several trees and a t.v. tower to land the ball within 15 feet of the hole. Oosthuizen hit a poor second shot, and Bubba was able to seal victory with a 2-putt in exchange for the green jacket.

5. Jack Nicklaus in 1975

Many golf fans witnessed their first Masters in color on television in 1975, and boy did they get a good one. Jack Nicklaus produced one of the most iconic moments of his illustrious career draining a 40 footer on the 16th hole on the final day at The Masters. Jack did so with his challengers Johnny Miller and Tom Weiskopf watching from the tee box of the same hole. Jack went on to win his 5th Masters.

4. Tiger produces golf’s most iconic commercial moment

In 2005 on the 16th hole, Tiger left himself a tough chip from above the hole and sloping away from him. Many believed he’d have a tough time even getting up and down for par. However, as Tiger chipped, and as the ball trickled slowly towards the hole, the impossible appeared to become more likely. The ball reached the hole with a final pause on Nike’s iconic logo, and fell to the bottom of the cup. A euphoric golf moment, followed by one of golf’s worst ever high five’s became one of golf’s most replayed moments of all time.

Tiger went on to bogey the 17th and 18th holes to fall into a playoff with Chris DiMarco. Tiger birdied the first hole of the playoff and went on to win his fourth (and most recent) green jacket.

3. Faldo’s rise and Norman’s epic collapse

The 1996 Masters produced both a worthy champion and an epic collapse in the same tournament. Greg Norman was the leader entering the day, but shot a final round 78. With a lip-out on the 11th hole, and a miss on the come-backer - Norman unraveled as he hit into the water on the 12th.

Nick Faldo entered the day with a 6-shot deficit and shot a final round 67 to make-up ground and win the tournament. Greg Norman finished with a woeful 78, and his bright career would be remembered by his inability to close.

2. Jack winning in 1986 at 46 years old

Commonly described as one of the greatest tournaments in golf history, Jack Nicklaus came from behind and edged out Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Nick Price to win The Masters.

Jack shot a 30 on the final nine (six birdies and an eagle on his last 10 holes) to help him capture his first major title in six years. While many pundits considered his career finished prior to this tournament, Jack’s victory put one final exclamation point on the greatest golf career ever. Jack changed the golf world’s perception of how long a player could remain competitive in professional golf.

CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz who worked his first career Masters that year had this to say about Jack’s historic performance:

“I think a lot of people would have to say it’s the greatest moment in the history of the game. It was the greatest championship in the history of the game. His encore victory. Unexpected. His sixth green jacket. And at the time, 46 years old sounded like 60 of today. It was unthinkable. It was absurd to even consider that a 46-year-old could win the Masters golf tournament.”

1. Tiger’s First Ever Masters Win

Tiger Woods played in his first Masters tournament in 1995 and the golfing world would never be the same. He turned in the most dominating performance in the history of The Masters winning by a 12 stroke margin with a final tally of 370. Tiger became the youngest Masters champion ever at the age 21 years old.

That is it, that’s the list. If you disagree with me, please leave comment - I like a good debate. I hope this gets you fired up. At this moment, The Masters is 78 days away…LET’S GOOOO.

Information thanks to ESPN, Wikipedia, The Masters