The thrilling back nine at Augusta National and the pressure of the Masters championship can produce Sunday drama like no other golf course. But just as numerous as the spectacular charges, have been the spectacular flops. What are the most memorable chokes in Masters history?
10. 2003: Len Mattiace
After a brilliant 65 in the final round, Mattiace had a meltdown on the first playoff hole, pulling his approach into trees, then nearly putting off the green trying to save par, allowing Mike Weir to win. Afterward, Mattiace cried in front of reporters.
Argentina’s Roberto De Vincenzo had a long, distinguished golf career, highlighted by more than 220 professional victories including the British Open (1967) and the U.S. Senior Open (1980). But the tournament that De Vincenzo will be forever remembered is the 1968 Masters. After tying Bob Goalby through 72 holes, De Vincenzo failed to thoroughly check his scorecard. For hole No. 17, playing partner Tommy Aaron had marked a 4 for De Vincenzo, who actually had a 3. In his haste to get ready for the playoff, De Vincenzo, signed for the wrong score, and was penalized a stroke, handing the green jacket to Goalby.
9. 1986: Greg Norman
In 1986, Norman led all four majors after three rounds. His most painful loss came at Augusta, where he was overtaken by Jack Nicklaus. Norman needed a par on No. 18 to get into a playoff, but shanked his 4-iron approach deep into the crowd.
8. 1968: Hubert Green
Needing to make a 3-foot putt to get in a playoff with Gary Player, Green was distracted by an announcer (perhaps the Gus Johnson of his day), stepped away from his ball, then pushed it right.
7. 1946: Ben Hogan
Needing a par to get in a playoff with Hermen Keiser, Hogan went for the victory, blowing his putt 2 feet past the hole, then missing the comebacker to lose by a stroke.
6. 2009: Kenny Perry
Up by two strokes with two holes left and bidding to become the oldest winner in major championship history, Perry’s swing deserted him. “Great players make it happen and your average players don’t,” said Perry.
5. 1961: Arnold Palmer
Leading by a stroke on the final hole, Palmer pulled his approach into a bunker, then blasted across the green and into the crowd on his way to a double-bogey handing the green jacket to Gary Player.
4. 1954: Ken Venturi
Set to become the first amateur to win the Masters, Venturi began the final round up by four strokes but three-putted four times on the back nine, shot an 80, and lost by a stroke to Jackie Burke.
3. 1989: Scott Hoch
Paralysis by analysis. With a 30-inch putt to win a playoff, Hoch lined it up, checked from every angle, before ramming it four feet past. Hoch made the comebacker but lost a hole later to Nick Faldo. “I’m glad I don’t carry a gun,” said Hoch.
2. 1979: Ed Snead
Leading by three shots with three holes left, Snead had survived treacherous Amen Corner, but fell apart on the relatively tame final three holes, missing makable par putts on each green, and eventually losing in a playoff to Fuzzy Zoeller.
1. 1996: Greg Norman
Leading by six and set to win his first Masters after a series of disappointments, Norman shot 78 and lost to Nick Faldo, who never got enough credit for pressuring Norman with his closing round of 67, the best score of the weekend.
