Biggest Masters Upsets of All Time
When it comes to PGA prestige, no Major is as big as The US Masters. It’s the only tournament held in the same place each year—and that place is none other than Augusta National. Considered one of the toughest courses in the PGA, only the truly elite will go on to don the green jacket.
But it’s a tricky green jacket for a pro to get their hands on. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the ultimate champions of the Masters—but plenty of other elite pros have retired without ever winning the tournament. There’s Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, and Tom Kite, to name a few.
At the moment, all eyes are on McIlroy to take home the next Masters. Available Masters odds from sportsbooks list him with odds of 8.5, just behind Scottie Scheffler, who’s listed with odds of 8.0. Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas will also be waiting in the wings to take home the prestigious title.
For Irish fans, the clear favorite is McIlroy. But it’s a high-stakes event because many believe it will be one of the golfer’s last, and possibly his most, competitive Masters. Could he join this list of some of the biggest Masters’ upsets of all time? We’ll find out soon.
Fuzzy Zoeller, 1979
Ed Sneed looked like he had everything under control heading into the final round of the Masters back in 1979—but a fatal case of the back nine pressure got to him. What started as a three-shot lead with only three holes left devolved into a shocking three-bogey nightmare. Enter Fuzzy Zoeller, who wasn’t nearly as experienced as Sneed.
Zoeller and Sneed split the first extra hole, but Zoeller managed to finish the second with a birdie. Thus Zoeller became the first and only rookie to win the Masters, while Sneed entered into a five-year downward spiral.
Larry Mize, 1987
The late 80s and 90s were the best of years for Greg Norman—and they were also the worst of years. Back in 1987, the Great White Shark shot a 66 on Saturday, managing to hold out until Sunday. On Sunday, he nudged past Seve Ballesteros to battle in the eleventh hole against Larry Mize.
It looked to be going in Norman’s favor when Mize shot 20 yards short of the greens. But Mize then pulled out his wedge and chipped a shot in to bring home the Masters. While Norman’s reaction was classic, slipping to his knees as the shot went into the hole, it certainly wasn’t his last breakdown in Augusta.
Nick Faldo, 1996
Nine years after losing out to Mize, analysts again were eyeing Norman to take home his first Masters. Things looked up as the tournament unfolded, with Norman setting a course record along the way by landing a 63 in the opening round. Heading into the final round, spectators geared up to watch Norman take down Nick Faldo.
But Norman’s bogeys at holes nine, 10, and 11 were only the start of his troubles. After teeing off into Rae’s Creek, the tournament was all but over. Norman’s career as a Masters contender ended—and he treated fans to a by-then classic Norman meltdown. Some might say these two have continued their rivalry today.
Charl Swartzel, 2011
The fear that McIlroy might never don the green jacket is entirely founded—especially looking back at repeated upsets for players like Norman. And, unfortunately for the Irish pro, he’s no stranger to upsets at Augusta. Back in 2011, it looked like McIlroy’s first Major win would be in Georgia.
But a four-shot lead slipped away—and then an impressive pull-hook, unfortunately, saw his ball wander close to the Eisenhower Cabin. He soon lost the lead, then spiraled into bogey-land. He ended up finishing the tournament 15th with 80. Charl Schwartzel took home the title, one of only two PGA Tour wins during his career. Will Scheffler be able to pull off a similar win against McIlroy?