In this feature, Worldwide Golf look at five of the best amateur performances in The Masters Tournament over the years. From 1940 to 1965 there were some special amateur performances but the standard of play in professional golf and at Augusta has steadily risen and it’s become tougher for amateurs to make an impact at the Masters so this piece focuses more on the modern era. Many of these young stars at the time have gone on to have wonderful careers after proving their special talent at Augusta National.
Did you know?
Amateur golfers are held in high regard at the Masters because one of the club’s founders was Bobby Jones – the greatest amateur ever to play the game of golf.
Each year at Augusta, the invited amateurs are allowed to stay in the clubhouse for the week, they’re welcomed to the opening dinner and they play the first two rounds in the company of past champions.
Jack Nicklaus: T7 in 1961
Having finished runner-up in the 1960 U.S. Open, the American golfing public were excited to see how the 21-year-old would get on at Augusta in 1961. He played well, finishing in a tie for 7th. Amazingly though, he wasn’t the low amateur that year as Charlie Coe was tied for second.
Bryson DeChambeau: 21st in 2016
The Golfing Scientist Bryson DeChambeau arrived on the world stage at Augusta three years ago fresh off a 2015 that saw him become just the fifth man in history to win the US Amateur and NCAA Division 1 Championship in the same year. The other four golfers to achieve that honour are Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Ryan Moore.
Ken Venturi: 2nd in 1956
The 24-year-old held the lead through 54-holes. Against an incredible field including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead, the young amateur was four shots in front with just 18 holes to play.
In testing conditions, Venturi struggled and came home in 42 to card a closing 80. Jack Burke Jr posted a fine 71 to finish just one shot ahead of the young Venturi.
“Did I choke?” Venturi later said in his autobiography. “If you go by my score you can make that argument, but I choose to look at it differently.
Ryan Moore: T13 in 2005
In 2005 Ryan Moore arrived at the tournament having enjoyed a stellar season on the amateur circuit in 2004. That year he won the NCAA Championship, the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Public Links and Western Amateur.
Moore continued that great form with a superb showing in the 2005 Masters. He played some excellent golf to finish in a tie for 13th.
Charlie Coe: T2 in 1961
Charlie Coe is the most successful amateur ever at The Masters. As a member of Augusta, he played 19 times and finished in the top-25 on nine occasions.
The former WWII pilot was flying under the radar towards the end of the competition as Gary Player and Arnold Palmer fought for the title in 1961. Player emerged triumphant but, when Palmer double-bogeyed the final hole he fell back into a tie for second with 37-year-old Coe. The amateur had birdied the 13th, 14th and 15th holes to close with a fine 69.
