Best amateur finishes in masters history

The Masters Tournament, one of the most prestigious events in professional golf, has a rich history of amateur golfers competing alongside the world’s top professionals. These talented amateurs have occasionally made a significant impact on the tournament. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best amateur finishes in Masters history.

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1. Charles Coe (1961)

Charles Coe, an American amateur golfer, had a remarkable performance in the 1961 Masters Tournament. He finished in a tie for second place, just one stroke behind the champion, Gary Player. Coe’s excellent performance included rounds of 71-70-71-70. His second-place finish remains one of the best by an amateur in Masters history.

2. Ken Venturi (1956)

Ken Venturi, another notable amateur golfer, showcased his skills at the 1956 Masters Tournament. Venturi secured a tie for second place alongside Sam Snead, trailing only Jack Burke Jr., who won the event. Venturi’s performance marked him as one of the top amateurs to compete in the Masters.

3. Frank Stranahan (1947 and 1948)

Frank Stranahan, an accomplished amateur golfer, had back-to-back top-five finishes at the Masters in 1947 and 1948. He placed fourth in 1947 and improved to third in 1948. Stranahan’s consistent performances demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level of professional golf.

4. Billy Joe Patton (1954)

Billy Joe Patton, a relatively unknown amateur at the time, captured the hearts of golf fans with his remarkable performance in the 1954 Masters Tournament. Patton narrowly missed winning the event, finishing in a tie for third place, just one shot behind the champion, Sam Snead. Patton’s near victory is often remembered as one of the most exciting moments in Masters history.

5. Ben Crenshaw (1972 and 1974)

Ben Crenshaw, who would go on to have a successful professional career, made his mark as an amateur at the Masters in 1972 and 1974. In 1972, Crenshaw tied for 19th place, and in 1974, he tied for 25th. These solid finishes laid the foundation for his future success at Augusta National, where he would later win two Green Jackets as a professional.

6. Bryson DeChambeau (2016)

Before becoming a dominant professional golfer, Bryson DeChambeau was an amateur standout. He made his Masters debut in 2016, finishing in a tie for 21st place. This strong performance foreshadowed his future success in professional golf, including winning the U.S. Open in 2020.

7. Sergio Garcia (1999)

While Sergio Garcia is now a household name in professional golf, his amateur performance at the 1999 Masters is worth noting. At just 19 years old, Garcia finished tied for 38th place. While this may not be as high as some of the other amateur finishes, it signaled the emergence of a young talent who would go on to win a Green Jacket in 2017 and have a storied career in professional golf.

8. Ryan Moore (2005)

Ryan Moore, an accomplished amateur golfer from the United States, had a memorable Masters debut in 2005. Moore finished tied for 13th place, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level of the game. His performance was a preview of his future success as a professional golfer.

9. Hideki Matsuyama (2011)

Before becoming the first Japanese player to win the Masters in 2021, Hideki Matsuyama competed as an amateur in the 2011 Masters Tournament. Matsuyama finished tied for 27th place, giving golf fans a glimpse of the talent that would eventually lead him to major championship glory.

10. John Augenstein (2020)

In recent history, John Augenstein’s performance as an amateur in the 2020 Masters Tournament garnered attention. Augenstein earned a spot in the field by reaching the finals of the U.S. Amateur Championship. He made the cut and finished tied for 55th place, providing a strong showing in one of golf’s most prestigious events.

Best Amateur Finishes in Masters History

YearAmateur GolferCountryScoreFinish
1934Bobby JonesUSA28713th
1956Ken VenturiUSA2862nd
1960Charlie CoeUSA2812nd
1970Billy CasperUSA28715th
1971Jim SimonsUSA285T-2nd
1978Lindy MillerUSA285T-5th
1981Nathaniel CrosbyUSA291T-43rd
1991Phil MickelsonUSA285T-46th
2003Ricky BarnesUSA294T-21st
2010Matteo ManasseroItaly283T-36th

Best Amateur Finishes in Masters History

YearAmateur GolferCountryScoreFinish
1940Chuck KocsisUSA29212th
1961Jack NicklausUSA286T-7th
1973Ben CrenshawUSA289T-11th
1980Mark HayesUSA284T-6th
1983Jay SigelUSA287T-22nd
1995Tiger WoodsUSA28941st
2001David GossettUSA29648th
2007Colt KnostUSA298T-49th
2011Hideki MatsuyamaJapan282T-27th
2016Bryson DeChambeauUSA289T-21st

Best Amateur Finishes in Masters History

YearAmateur GolferCountryScoreFinish
1941George DunlapUSA288T-12th
1962Charles CoodyUSA292T-24th
1975Jay HaasUSA293T-20th
1985Sam RandolphUSA290T-27th
1987Scott VerplankUSA290T-32nd
1996Steve ScottUSA298T-59th
2002Ben CurtisUSA290T-13th
2008Casey WittenbergUSA295T-13th
2013Tianlang GuanChina300T-58th
2017Stewart HagestadUSA292T-36th

Best Amateur Finishes in Masters History

YearAmateur GolferCountryScoreFinish
1947Frank StranahanUSA291T-17th
1963Billy Joe PattonUSA2853rd
1976Bill KratzertUSA294T-33rd
1986Scott HochUSA288T-23rd
1988Chris PattonUSA298T-54th
1998Matt KucharUSA289T-21st
2005Ryan MooreUSA296T-45th
2014Oliver GossAustralia297T-49th
2018Doug GhimUSA296T-50th
2020Andy OgletreeUSA293T-34th

Best Amateur Finishes in Masters History

YearAmateur GolferCountryScoreFinish
1954Gene LittlerUSA293T-19th
1964Deane BemanUSA295T-32nd
1982Jay HaasUSA296T-35th
1984John InmanUSA289T-17th
1989Bob Lewis Jr.USA298T-51st
1999Sergio GarciaSpain298T-38th
2004Casey WittenbergUSA294T-13th
2009Drew KittlesonUSA30259th
2012Patrick CantlayUSA307T-47th
2019Viktor HovlandNorway285T-32nd

Conclusion

The Masters Tournament has a rich tradition of amateur participation, and these remarkable performances by amateur golfers have added to the tournament’s allure and history. Some of these amateurs have gone on to have successful professional careers, while others have left a lasting impact on the tournament’s lore. Their stories serve as a reminder of the diverse talent pool that the Masters attracts each year and the excitement of witnessing rising stars on the grand stage of Augusta National.

Best amateur finishes in masters history

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  • Grace Kaufman

    Grace Kaufman, our Creative Director and a Golf Course Design Specialist, brings a touch of creativity and visual flair to The Golf Mine. With a keen eye for design and a deep understanding of course layout, she ensures that our content not only informs but also engages and inspires. Grace's innovative approach, combined with her specialization in golf course design, enhances the overall experience for our readers, making our blog more than just words on a screen.

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