AUGUSTA, Ga. — No lead is safe come Sunday at the Masters Tournament.
Some of the greatest moments in the tournament’s storied history come from a player storming back in the 11th hour to secure the coveted green jacket at Augusta National Golf Club. Many have made it through 36 or 54 holes with the lead, but those involved in the annual Champions Dinner have persevered through the 72-hole format and came out on the other side.
We’re going to take a look at a few of those historic performances.
Here is a look at some of the biggest comebacks in Masters history.
Nick Faldo's trio of Masters comebacks
Nick Faldo of England (left) with the Green Jacket, watched by Hord Hardin (right), after his victory in the US Masters Golf Tournament held at The Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia on April 8th, 1989. This was Faldo’s first of three Masters titles. (Photo by Brian Morgan/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
1989: A Sunday 65 fueled Faldo as he overcame a three-stroke deficit with three holes to play, forcing a playoff with Scott Hoch. It was the first of three Masters wins for Faldo.
1990: Faldo trailed by seven strokes after the first round before taking the win in a playoff over Raymond Floyd for his second green jacket. It’s tied for the largest deficit overcome in tournament history after 18 holes with the next player on our list.
1996: Faldo trailed Greg Norman by six strokes Sunday, but a Sunday 67 coupled with Norman’s 78 became the difference that week. Faldo secured his third Masters victory and it became the poster child for blown leads in golf lore for years to come.
Tiger Woods' 2005 Masters victory
Tiger Woods (R) is awarded his green jacket by 2004 champion Phil Mickelson of the US at the 2005 Masters Golf Tournament Championship 10 April 2005 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Woods claimed his 4th Masters title by defeating fellow American Chris DiMarco in a one-hole playoff. AFP PHOTO/Roberto SCHMIDT (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
2005: Woods’ fourth green jacket came after a Thursday 74 put him seven strokes behind the leader. He stormed back with 66-65-71 over the next three rounds to force a playoff with Chris DiMarco, where he came out on top.
Jack Burke Jr. lands in the Masters record book
Jack Burke Jr., left, is congratulated by Bobby Jones after winning the 20th Masters Golf Tournament by one stroke at the Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Ga., April 8, 1956.
1956: Burke’s name appears prominently in the record book because of the 1956 Masters. He came back from eight strokes (the tournament record for a deficit overcome after 36 holes, 54 holes and into Sunday) to win at 1-over-par. Amateur Ken Venturi provided a helping hand with a Sunday 80 (the 24-year-old still holds the record for best finish by an amateur in the field).
Gary Player shoots 64 in miraculous Masters comeback
Defending champion Tom Watson helps 1978 Masters winner Gary Player with the traditional green jacket.
1978: Player overcame a seven-stroke deficit Sunday, producing the lowest round of the tournament with a 64. It was Player’s third and final Masters win.
Art Wall Jr. overcomes five-stroke Masters deficit
Art Wall Jr. throws down club and leaps over to retrieve ball from cup on 18th green after putting out in the final round of Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta, Ga., April 5, 1959. He fired a 66 for a total 284 to win the tournament.
1959: Wall overcame a five-stroke deficit with seven holes to play Sunday, knocking off Cary Middlecoff with a 66 in the final round.
Danny Willett shocks everybody at Augusta National
Danny Willett celebrates in the green jacket after winning the 2016 The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
2016: Willett was down five to Jordan Spieth with six holes to go. A Sunday 67, coupled with Spieth’s implosion on No. 12 led to Willett’s only Masters win in just his second start.
Fuzzy Zoeller forces and wins three-way playoff
Fuzzy Zoeller
1979: A Sunday 70 propelled Zoeller to force a three-way playoff with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson after trailing by three shots with three holes to go. It was also the first of two major victories for Zoeller.
Masters champions trailing after first, second and third rounds
Patrons cheer as Tiger Woods celebrates after sinking his putt on the 18th green to win the 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images)
This feat is more common than some might guess. Overall, there have been 31 instances in 87 tournaments where the winner has trailed after each of the first three rounds. Here are the notable names in that category since 2007:
Tiger Woods (2019)
Danny Willett (2016)
Adam Scott (2013)
Bubba Watson (2012)
Charl Schwartzel (2011)
Phil Mickelson (2010)
Zach Johnson (2007)
