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Masters All-Time Biggest Surprise Winners

By Tim Letcher

photography Peter Dazeley, Coombe Hill GC, Kingston, Surrey, UK, February 4th 2020
photography Peter Dazeley, Coombe Hill GC, Kingston, Surrey, UK, February 4th 2020 /
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Charles Coody The Masters
AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES: View of the scoreboard 09 April 2005 during the 2nd round of the 2005 Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

1971 – Charles Coody

In 1971, Jack Nicklaus was at the top of the golf world. The Golden Bear was considered not only the greatest player in the world, he was also making a case to be the greatest player of all time.

So when the Masters rolled around in April, Nicklaus was a heavy favorite to win the green jacket for the fourth time. And the legend was in contention all week long, including being in a tie with Charles Coody after 54 holes of play.

But on Sunday, it was Coody shooting a 70 while Nicklaus shot a 72, giving Coody his first, and what turned out to be his only, major championship title. Impressively, Coody held off not only Nicklaus, but also Johnny Miller, who carded a 68 on Sunday to tie Nicklaus for second place.

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