Which Golfer Is The Youngest Winner Of The Masters?
Discover “Which Golfer Is The Youngest Winner Of The Masters?” as you delve into the remarkable accomplishments of young golfers.
Winning The Masters Tournament is considered the ultimate achievement for many golfers, symbolizing the pinnacle of their careers. However, a few golfers have achieved this prestigious honor at a remarkably young age, leaving their peers in awe and envy.
Let us explore the list of young golfers who have etched their names in history by becoming the youngest Masters winners.
Who is the Youngest Master’s Winner?
Tiger Woods holds the distinction of being the youngest Masters champion in history. On April 13, 1997, at the age of 21 years, 3 months, and 14 days, Woods claimed a resounding victory at the Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club. He is the first black golfer to win Masters.
While Jordan Spieth came close to surpassing Woods’ record in 2015, he just missed it by a few months. However, these two golfers remain the only ones younger than 22 to have won this prestigious major championship.
Woods’ triumph in 1997 was nothing short of spectacular, as he shattered numerous tournament records. Not only did he become the youngest masters winner, surpassing the previous record held by Seve Ballesteros, but he also set or equaled several scoring records.
Most notably, he established a new record for the largest margin of victory by winning the tournament with an impressive 12-stroke lead.
Later, in 2001, Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament for the second time at the age of 25. This achievement earned him a spot on the list of the young two-time Master’s Champions.
List of the Youngest Masters Winners
For the past 23 years, Tiger Woods has held the title of the youngest Masters champion. However, there are other golfers who have achieved this prestigious honor at a comparatively early stage in their careers.
Below is a list of the youngest winners of the Masters Tournament:
#2. Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth, an American professional golfer, had an impressive start to his professional career. In 2015, at the age of 21, Spieth won the Masters Tournament.
He displayed exceptional skill and composure throughout the tournament, tying the record for the lowest 36-hole score and setting the record for the lowest 54-hole score in Masters history. Spieth’s victory cemented his place as one of the rising stars in the world of golf.
- Born: 07/27/1993
- Masters championship year: 2015 (April 12)
- Age at time of victory: 21 years, 8 months, 16 days old
- Country: United States
- Total Masters wins: 1
#3. Seve Ballesteros
Seve Ballesteros, a Spanish golfing legend, made his mark at the Masters Tournament in 1980. At the age of 23, Ballesteros became the youngest champion in the tournament’s history until Tiger Woods broke his record.
Ballesteros showcased his exceptional short-game skills and creative shot-making ability to secure his first green jacket.
He went on to become one of the most charismatic and influential figures in European golf. Additionally, his incredible impact on the sport led to his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Born: 04/09/1957
- Masters championship year: 1980 (April 13)
- Age at time of victory: 21 years, 4 days old
- Country: Spain
- Total Masters wins: 2
#4. Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus, often referred to as “The Golden Bear,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in history.
In 1963, at the age of 23, Nicklaus won his first Masters Tournament. He displayed remarkable skill and maturity, becoming the youngest champion at that time. Nicklaus went on to win a total of six Masters titles, solidifying his status as a golfing legend.
In another notable achievement, Jack Nicklaus once again secured a Masters victory in 1965 at the age of 25, solidifying his place among the top ten youngest winners in the history of the championship.
Again in 1965, at the age of 25, Nicklaus won the Masters title, becoming the youngest two-time champion.
- Born: 01/21/1940
- Masters championship year: 1963 (April 7)
- Age at time of victory: 23 years, 2 months, 17 days old
- Country: United States
- Masters wins: 6
#5. Bryon Nelson
Byron Nelson, an American golfing icon, won his first Masters Tournament in 1937. At the age of 25, Nelson showcased his exceptional ball-striking abilities and mental toughness to secure his victory.
Nelson’s impact on the game extended beyond his playing career, as he later became one of the most respected voices in golf as a commentator.
- Born: 02/04/1912
- Masters championship year: 1937 (April 4)
- Age at time of victory: 25 years, 2 months old
- Country: United States
- Masters wins: 2
#6. Gary Player
Gary Player, a South African golfing legend, made history in 1961 by becoming the first international player to win the Masters Tournament.
At the age of 25, Player’s win marked a significant milestone in golf, opening doors for international players to compete and succeed on the global stage. The player went on to win a total of three Masters titles and became one of the most successful golfers in history.
- Born: 11/01/1935
- Masters championship year: 1961 (April 10)
- Age at time of victory: 25 years, 5 months, 9 days old
- Country: South Africa
- Masters wins: 3
#7. Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler, an emerging star in the world of golf, made history as the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament in recent times. He played spectacular chip-and-putt shots to win the tournament in 2022 at the age of 25 years. This triumph played a significant role in his rise to the No.1 world ranking in 2023.
- Born: 06/21/1996
- Masters championship year: 2022 (April 10)
- Age at time of victory: 25 years, 9 months, 20 days old
- Country: United States
- Masters wins: 1
#8. Horton Smith
Horton Smith won the First Masters Tournament in 1934 at the age of 25 years. His victory at such a young age solidified his place in history as one of the youngest Masters champions.
Smith showcased his exceptional golfing skills and emerged as a pioneer in the early years of the prestigious tournament. Horton Smith’s triumph will always be remembered as a significant milestone in the history of the Master’s Tournament.
- Born: 05/22/1908
- Masters championship year: 1934 (March 25)
- Age at time of victory: 25 years, 10 months, 3 days old
- Country: United States
- Masters wins: 2
Interesting facts about Youngest Masters Champions
- Tiger Woods and Jordan Speith are the only two golfers to have won the Masters Tournament twice before turning 22 years old.
- Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods both secured two spots in the Top 10 list of young champions.
- Jack Nicklaus also holds the record for being the oldest Masters champion.
- Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros are the only international golfers who have made it to the top 10 list of youngest Masters champions.
- Scottie Scheffler joined the list of the Top 10 youngest Masters champions in 2022.
- Horton Smith, who won the first-ever Masters tournament in 1934, became the first golfer to enter the Top 10 youngest Masters champions list.
Who is the oldest golfer to win the Masters?
Jack Nicklaus is the oldest golfer to win the Masters Tournament, a title he claimed in 1986 at the age of 46. To this day, he remains the record holder for this achievement. He has a total of six Masters championships, including two as the youngest champion and one as the oldest winner.
Bottom line
Tiger Woods currently holds the record for being the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament, a title he has held for over two decades. Despite Jordan Speith’s close attempt, he did not break Woods’ record.
