Masters 2014: Top 5 Moments In Masters Tournament History

One of the most prestigious events in professional sports, the Masters Tournament provides the best talent and atmosphere the world of golf has to offer. With many of the top PGA Tour stars and additional top-level talents from other circuits around the globe competing in the event on a yearly basis, the first Major Championship of the PGA Tour season might just be the most appreciated. Sure the United States Open, PGA Championship and The Open Championship hold special meaning as well but there’s something about watching the greats of golf tee it up on a beautiful April day from the always-stunning Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Big names including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Matt Kuchar have consistently been present at the major championship and even though Woods -- the current World No. 1 player -- won’t be present at the 2014 Masters Tournament, the field remains chock full of tremendous talent that shouldn’t have any trouble entertaining even the smallest of golf fans. Scott -- the World’s No. 2-ranked player behind Woods -- earned his first major title last season at the Masters while also becoming the first Australian to don the green jacket. Expected to be among those in the running come Sunday at the 2014 tournament, Scott will surely have his work cut out for him if he’s to go back-to-back.

Along with Scott, Mickelson and Kuchar, popular players in Jason Day, Sergio Garcia, 2013 FedEx Cup champion Henrik Stenson, Keegan Bradley and youngster Jordan Spieth are all capable of putting together strong efforts during the upcoming four-round event. In addition to these stars, legendary figures such as Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and Fred Couples among others will participate in the tournament since each earned lifetime exemption to the Masters by winning the tournament in previous seasons. With new memories to be created, the 2014 Masters Tournament from Augusta National Golf Club will begin on Thursday, April 10 and run through Sunday, April 13.

To help fill the void between now and the start of the Masters, here’s a look at the Top 5 moments in the history of this prestigious event.

5. Jack Nicklaus -- Birdie on 17th Hole to take lead at 1986 Masters

Still considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all-time, Jack Nicklaus won his sixth and final green jacket in 1986. At the 17th hole, Nicklaus knocked in an 18-foot birdie putt to put himself ahead of the field, a great moment that helped add to a strong round. With Greg Norman and Tom Kite still in contention, Nicklaus waited in the clubhouse for the two to finish. When neither could catch the 46-year-old, Nicklaus captured the green jacket and became the oldest champion to claim the major title.

4. Tiger Woods -- Chip-in on 16th Hole at 2005 Masters

With a one-shot lead on Chris DiMarco at the 2005 Masters, Tiger Woods produced one of the greatest moments in Masters history. With DiMarco staring down 15-foot putt that would have potentially placed the two golfers in a tie, Woods played his second shot from off the green. Playing first, the 14-time Major Champion chipped his ball onto the green and as it approached the cup, seemed to nestle just short of dropping. After a dramatic pause, the ball fell to the bottom of the cup giving Woods a 2-shot lead with 3 holes to play. He'd eventually go on to defeat DiMarco in a playoff, capturing his fourth Masters title.

3. Gene Sarazen -- Double Eagle on 15th Hole at the 1935 Masters

Trailing by 3 strokes with only 4 holes remaining in the final round of the 1935 Masters, Gene Sarazen recorded what is still talked about as one of the best shots in Masters history. Faced with an awkward lie 235 yards from the pin, Sarazen laced a 4-wood onto the front edge of the green and watched it roll into the cup. He'd go on to win in a 36-hole playoff the next day thanks to knocking in ‘The Shot Hear ‘Round The World.’ While the 1935 win was his only title at Augusta, Sarazen took home a total of 7 major championships in his career and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.

2. Bubba Watson -- Approach through the trees on final hole at 2012 Masters

With his long drives and timely putting, Bubba Watson put himself in prime position to win the 2012 Masters. Following a tie with Louis Oosthuizen after the completion of the final round, the two headed to a playoff. An errant tee shot that bounced into the trees gave Watson little to no room for error on his next shot. Not able to see the green through the trees, Watson played a magnificent hook shot that cleared the trees and landed onto the center of the green. Following a two-putt after an Oosthuizen bogey, Bubba Watson claimed his first major championship.

1. Sandy Lyle -- Bunker shot at 18 to set up winning putt at 1988 Masters

Locked in a classic battle with Mark Calcavecchia at the 1988 Masters, Sandy Lyle hit one of the most memorable shots in Masters history. Leading by 1 and having just put his tee shot into the bunker on the final hole, Lyle took his 7 iron out of the bag. Barely clearing the lip of the sand trap, Lyle's approach shot landed past the pin but rolled back to within 10 feet. He'd drill the birdie putt to become the first British player to ever win the Masters Championship.