[Masters] "Interpreted as Alphabet Masters" Masters

The Masters is a "battle of masters" where world-class players compete at the finest golf course.

[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae] 'Masters Legends.'

This is the story of the Masters. This year, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the event was postponed from April to November. On the night of the 12th (Korean time), the competition began at Augusta National Golf Club (par 72, 7,475 yards) in Georgia, USA. Among the total 96 players, Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Joaquin Niemann (Chile) withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19, and Trevor Immelman (South Africa) and Angel Cabrera (Argentina) also withdrew. Here is a breakdown of the Masters by the letters of the alphabet.

▲ Money = The total prize money is variable. The prize money changes every year depending on the tournament's revenue. The prize money is announced after the third round each year. Last year, the total prize money was $11.5 million (12.9 billion KRW). The 'returning golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) won his fifth career title and hit the jackpot with $2.07 million (230 million KRW). Horton Smith (USA), the winner of the first tournament in 1934, received $1,500 (1.68 million KRW) as the winner's prize.

▲ Augusta National = It is a prestigious course competing for the 'Top 3' in the list of the top 100 golf courses in the USA, selected every two years by Golf Digest. The 'Golf Saint' Bobby Jones (USA) purchased 450,000 pyeong (approximately 1.49 million square meters) of Indian farmland near Augusta in 1930 and developed the course with designer Alister MacKenzie. It is notoriously known as a 'snobby club' due to its strict member-only policy. In fact, you cannot even pass through the main gate without being accompanied by a member. The membership is limited to 300 people, all kept under wraps.

Tiger Woods is the greatest star with a total of 5 wins at the Masters.

▲ Star = Woods is the greatest star. He set numerous records as the first black player, the youngest winner (21 years, 3 months, 14 days), the lowest 72-hole score (270), and the largest winning margin (12 strokes). Gary Player (South Africa) earned the distinction of being the first non-American champion in 1961. He also holds records for most appearances (52) and consecutive cuts made (23). Adam Scott became the first Australian to win in 2013, and Garcia relieved the frustration of never having won a major by winning in 2017.

▲ Trophy = The Green Jacket is the symbol. There is a unique tradition where the previous year's champion dresses the new winner. Champions before 1948 were given jackets to keep. Winners keep the jacket for one year and then return it to be permanently displayed in the 'Champions Locker Room.' Since 1993, winners can request a trophy shaped like the clubhouse. The Arnold Palmer (USA) trophy, who passed away in September 2016, was sold for $444,000 (500 million KRW).

▲ Established = The tournament was first established 86 years ago in 1934 and is now in its 84th edition. It is jointly hosted by the PGA Tour, European Tour, and Japan Golf Tour. Along with the US Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship, it is one of the 'four major' tournaments. The entry requirements are the most stringent. Players must meet at least one of 19 criteria to participate. This is why the field never exceeds 100 players annually. Last year, the course was set at par 72 and 7,475 yards.

Jack Nicklaus swept a record six wins at the Masters. Photo by Augusta National

▲ Record = The tournament record is 18-under-par 270, set by Woods in 1997 and Jordan Spieth (USA) in 2015. Jack Nicklaus (USA) holds the record for most wins with six between 1963 and 1986. Woods is second with five wins. Palmer (4 wins), Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Phil Mickelson (all USA), Player, and Nick Faldo (England, both with 3 wins) follow. The best performance by a Korean player is third place by K.J. Choi (50, SK Telecom) in 2004.

▲ Slam = For Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), the Masters is the final puzzle to complete the 'Career Grand Slam,' winning all four different majors. He won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012, and The Open Championship in July 2014. He finished tied for 4th in 2015, tied for 10th in 2016, tied for 7th in 2017, tied for 5th in 2018, and tied for 21st last year, whetting his appetite. He is aiming to become the sixth player in global golf history to achieve the 'Career Grand Slam.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.