The Masters is a prestigious golf tournament held annually at Augusta National, known for its beautiful scenery and challenging course. While it often crowns a new champion each year, it has also seen its fair share of dramatic collapses and meltdowns. In this article, we will revisit the top 10 Masters meltdowns that will never be forgotten, starting with Roberto DeVicenzo in 1968. DeVicenzo missed out on a playoff due to a scoring error, marking one of the most egregious acts of self-sabotage in Masters history.
In 1986, Greg Norman experienced both the best and worst of times as he led all four majors but only managed to win the British Open. His near miss at Augusta, where he needed par on the 18th to force a playoff with Jack Nicklaus, haunted him for years and was considered the “biggest regret” of his career. Another memorable collapse came from Ken Venturi in 1956, who, as an amateur, held a four-shot lead going into Sunday but ended up losing by one stroke with a disastrous final round.
Jordan Spieth’s 2016 meltdown, where he lost his Sunday lead in less than an hour, ranks at number seven on the list. Spieth was on track to make history as the first player to win wire-to-wire back-to-back in any major but a quadruple-bogey on the 12th hole derailed his chances, allowing Danny Willet to steal the show. Rory McIlroy’s collapse in 2011 started on the 10th hole with a duck-hook that led to a series of errors, ultimately costing him the lead and the tournament. Despite shooting an 80, McIlroy bounced back to win the U.S. Open two months later.
Ed Sneed’s collapse in 1979 saw him squander a five-shot lead through missed putts on the final holes, allowing Fuzzy Zoeller to claim victory. Scott Hoch’s shocking missed putt in 1989, which would have sealed a playoff win, gave Nick Faldo the opportunity to secure the victory instead. Kenny Perry’s collapse in 2009, where he missed key shots on the final holes, allowed Angel Cabrera to claim the green jacket.
Curtis Strange’s collapse in 1985, after leading by two shots on Sunday, saw him make crucial errors on reachable par-fives, ultimately costing him the tournament. However, Greg Norman’s collapse in 1996, where he squandered a six-shot lead over Nick Faldo, ranks as the worst collapse in Masters history. Norman’s round went from a coronation to a funeral march as he lost his lead and credibility on the back nine, allowing Faldo to secure the victory.
In conclusion, the Masters has seen its fair share of dramatic collapses and meltdowns over the years, showcasing the mental and emotional challenges of competing at the highest level in golf. These top 10 Masters meltdowns serve as a reminder that even the best players in the world are not immune to the pressures and pitfalls of the game, making the tournament both thrilling and unpredictable for players and fans alike.
