“If The Masters offered no money at all, I would be here trying just as hard,” said two-time champion Ben Hogan.
From April 11 to 14, 72 holes of exerting, fascinating golf will crown the champion of the 2024 Masters Tournament, adorning him in that iconic green jacket and inserting him into the exclusive company of winners past. At 15 million views in 2023, the Masters is among the most popular sporting events in the world.
What is it about this tournament that generates such fanaticism? Is it the players? The course? Is it just another major sporting event that will garner interest inherently? No. It must be a culmination. The best players in the world play one of the most challenging courses in the world competing against each other and themselves for millions of dollars. Why not such interest?
The Masters is one of four major events held annually within professional golf. Chronologically, it falls in the first full week of April, followed by the PGA Championship, The U.S. Open, and The British Open over the summer.
The Masters is the only of these tournaments held at the same course each year, Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. This might give the false impression of simplicity. Despite having played and studied the course time and time again, its trickery has eluded the mastery of some of the best players in history.
In the practice rounds, you might see the occasional ball skipping across the water on hole 16 or a player aiming over some trees to skip a dogleg. When the score matters though, each shot demands absolute excellence. A ball left too low may roll 20 yards off track; one left too high may restrict the next shot, or the next. Greens are constructed in such fashion that, no matter where the ball lies, there is but one infinitesimally narrow path to the pin, any diversion is calamity.
This iteration, with its $18 million purse, will host a superb field of players. Invitees are based on their global ranking leading into the tournament, and young players have a chance to participate by winning one of several amateur tournaments throughout the preceding year.
Tiger Woods, Rory McCilroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm, and Scottie Scheffler are just some of the household names who’ll tee off, chasing further glory.
An enticing aspect of the game of golf is the collision between individual and group competition. Each man plays against a field of many opponents, but more importantly, they play against the course and against themselves. They’ll question every decision and question those questions.
In the end, one will rise above the rest and above his own doubt. He’ll have achieved a dream for millions of golf enthusiasts across the globe. His name will be etched in the Masters Trophy and in the history of this beautiful game.
Davis Miller, Intern