The US Masters Golf Tournament

The US Masters is one of four major professional golf championships for men that take place on an annual basis. The US Masters is the first one to occur throughout the calendar year and the final round of it is held the second Sunday in the month of April. It marks the beginning of golf season and one that draws much attention and drama early April as professional golfers

The US Masters is also sometimes referred to as The Masters Tournament or The Masters. Many of the major championships are held in different locations every year except for the US Masters, which takes places at a private golf club in Augusta, Georgia called the Augusta National Golf Club. The Augusta National is one of the most beautiful and magnificent courses in the world known for its colorful azaleas.

The US Masters was created by two men by the names of Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. These two innovative men, along with the assistance of the legendary course architect Alister MacKenzie, designed the Augusta National.

Winning the coveted US Masters puts a golfer in high esteem when it comes to the upper echelons of the golfing world. A career in golfing becomes even more secure once the title has been won. Once a golfer has won the US Masters he is invited to play in the other three major golf championships, which include the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. This lasts for a period of five years. The other perk of winning the Green Jacket is an invitation to the US Masters for the duration of their lifetime.

Bobby Jones at first decided to call the golf tournament the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament" and that name was used for five years until the name US Masters was adopted in the year 1939. The name stuck and has remained that way ever since. The first tournament ever played at the US Masters was played as the first nine with current holes that were 10 through 18 and as the second nine there was one through nine. While many golf tournaments use the terms front and back, the US Masters prefers to go with the terms first and second nines. This format was reversed for the tournament that was played in the year 1935 to what is referred to today as its "famous layout."

In 1935, it was golfer Gene Sarazen who reigned victorious at the US Masters after hitting what was described as "The shot heard around the world." Gene had made a double eagle from his second shot on a par 5 on 15th . In the year 1961 the first non-American to win the US Masters was Gary Player.

In 2007, The Masters will begin Thursday April 5th, with the final round on Sunday April 8th. The two players to keep an eye on will be Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Phil Mickelson is defending his Title having won it in 2006. Phil seems to have a roller coaster type of tournament games, so which "Phil" will be playing this year at Augusta? Tiger Woods, having won the last two majors in 2006 will be going for his own "Tiger Slam" this year and his 5th US Masters victory. However, with the likes of Vijay Singh who won in 2000 and Mike Weir in 2003, the select field of competition is strong as always.

Who will take home the Green Jacket?

Nevertheless, the U.S. Masters is a tradition to keep, one that is passed on from generation to generation, whether you play, attend or watch on television. If you like the drama, excitement and magnificent views that The Masters brings then this is the place to be this weekend in April.

The U.S. Masters Golf Tournament

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