The Masters: Greatest Champions in Tournament History

No major loves and cherishes its championship more than the membership at Augusta National loves its Masters champions. Each year, past Masters champions celebrate, and are celebrated, as the tournament holds its week of festivities.

One tradition that the Masters has every year is the champions dinner. As the name implies, it’s for past champions and the menu is selected by the champion the previous year. This is just one of the many rewards that are given to Masters winners.

Masters champions also get another major reward for winning. Each winner earns a lifetime exemption to the tournament, something that is not done at any other major championship. Masters winners are also made honorary members at Augusta National Golf Club.

At some point, some former Masters champions have also become honorary starters, after their days of competing in the actual event are over. This year’s honorary starters, when the event is played in November (hopefully) will be Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Past honorary starters have included Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead.

While every Masters champion earns these rewards, with the exception of the honorary starters, there are a few Masters champions who stand above the rest. There were always special roars from the patrons when these players were making a rally. There were standing ovations as they reached the greens. And there were sometimes tears in the eyes of Masters fans when one of these favorites called it quits. Here are the top 10 most loved Masters champions.