The Golden Bear To Scheffler: A Complete List Of Green Jacket Golf Winners And Masters Records

As of December 12, 2025, the most recent golfer to slip on the coveted Green Jacket is Scottie Scheffler, who claimed his second Masters Tournament title in April 2024. The Green Jacket is arguably the most recognizable and prestigious prize in professional golf, signifying a triumph at the Masters Tournament, one of the sport's four major championships. Held annually at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the tournament is steeped in tradition, and its list of champions represents a true "Who's Who" of golf history, from the legends of the past to the dominant players of the modern era. This comprehensive guide details every Masters winner, highlights the all-time record holders, and unveils the fascinating facts and statistics that make the Green Jacket ceremony a must-watch event every spring. Understanding the legacy of this tournament requires looking back at the giants of the game who have conquered the challenging course, navigated Amen Corner, and etched their names into golf immortality.

The Elite Circle: All Masters Tournament Green Jacket Winners (1934–2024)

The Masters Tournament began in 1934, and since 1949, the winner has been awarded the iconic Green Jacket. The jacket is a symbol of membership at the exclusive Augusta National Golf Club, and the winner is allowed to take it home for one year before returning it to the club, where it remains for future visits. Only the defending champion can wear the jacket outside of the club grounds. This list includes all champions since the tournament's inception.

• 2024: Scottie Scheffler (Second Win)
• 2023: Jon Rahm
• 2022: Scottie Scheffler
• 2021: Hideki Matsuyama
• 2020: Dustin Johnson
• 2019: Tiger Woods (Fifth Win)
• 2018: Patrick Reed
• 2017: Sergio Garcia
• 2016: Danny Willett
• 2015: Jordan Spieth
• 2014: Bubba Watson (Second Win)
• 2013: Adam Scott
• 2012: Bubba Watson
• 2011: Charl Schwartzel
• 2010: Phil Mickelson (Third Win)
• 2009: Ángel Cabrera
• 2008: Trevor Immelman
• 2007: Zach Johnson
• 2006: Phil Mickelson (Second Win)
• 2005: Tiger Woods (Fourth Win)
• 2004: Phil Mickelson
• 2003: Mike Weir
• 2002: Tiger Woods (Third Win)
• 2001: Tiger Woods (Second Win)
• 2000: Vijay Singh
• 1999: José María Olazábal (Second Win)
• 1998: Mark O'Meara
• 1997: Tiger Woods
• 1996: Nick Faldo (Third Win)
• 1995: Ben Crenshaw (Second Win)
• 1994: José María Olazábal
• 1993: Bernhard Langer (Second Win)
• 1992: Fred Couples
• 1991: Ian Woosnam
• 1990: Nick Faldo (Second Win)
• 1989: Nick Faldo
• 1988: Sandy Lyle
• 1987: Larry Mize
• 1986: Jack Nicklaus (Sixth Win)
• 1985: Bernhard Langer
• 1984: Ben Crenshaw
• 1983: Seve Ballesteros (Second Win)
• 1982: Craig Stadler
• 1981: Tom Watson (Second Win)
• 1980: Seve Ballesteros
• 1979: Fuzzy Zoeller
• 1978: Gary Player (Third Win)
• 1977: Tom Watson
• 1976: Raymond Floyd
• 1975: Jack Nicklaus (Fifth Win)
• 1974: Gary Player (Second Win)
• 1973: Tommy Aaron
• 1972: Jack Nicklaus (Fourth Win)
• 1971: Charles Coody
• 1970: Billy Casper
• 1969: George Archer
• 1968: Bob Goalby
• 1967: Gay Brewer
• 1966: Jack Nicklaus (Third Win)
• 1965: Jack Nicklaus (Second Win)
• 1964: Arnold Palmer (Fourth Win)
• 1963: Jack Nicklaus
• 1962: Arnold Palmer (Third Win)
• 1961: Gary Player
• 1960: Arnold Palmer (Second Win)
• 1959: Art Wall Jr.
• 1958: Arnold Palmer
• 1957: Doug Ford
• 1956: Jack Burke Jr.
• 1955: Cary Middlecoff
• 1954: Sam Snead (Second Win)
• 1953: Ben Hogan (Second Win)
• 1952: Sam Snead
• 1951: Ben Hogan
• 1950: Jimmy Demaret (Third Win)
• 1949: Sam Snead (First Green Jacket Awarded)
• 1948: Claude Harmon
• 1947: Jimmy Demaret (Second Win)
• 1946: Herman Keiser
• 1943-1945: Tournament Suspended (WWII)
• 1942: Byron Nelson (Second Win)
• 1941: Craig Wood
• 1940: Jimmy Demaret
• 1939: Ralph Guldahl
• 1938: Henry Picard
• 1937: Byron Nelson
• 1936: Horton Smith (Second Win)
• 1935: Gene Sarazen
• 1934: Horton Smith (Inaugural Winner)

The Masters Legends: Golfers with the Most Green Jackets

A select group of golfers stands above the rest, having mastered the difficult layout of Augusta National multiple times. Winning a single Green Jacket is the pinnacle of a career for many, but securing multiple titles is the mark of a true Masters legend. The list of multiple champions is short and incredibly distinguished, led by the "Golden Bear" himself.

Jack Nicklaus: The Undisputed King of Augusta

Jack Nicklaus holds the all-time record for the most Masters victories, with an astonishing six Green Jackets. His wins spanned over two decades, starting in 1963 and culminating with his legendary, come-from-behind victory in 1986 at the age of 46, making him the oldest Masters champion in history. Nicklaus's consistent dominance across different eras of golf solidifies his status as the greatest Masters competitor ever.

Tiger Woods: The Modern Era's Masters Phenomenon

Tiger Woods is second on the all-time list with five Green Jackets. His first win in 1997 was a watershed moment, as he became the youngest champion at 21 years old and set the record for the largest margin of victory (12 strokes). His fifth victory in 2019, after years of injury and personal setbacks, is considered one of the greatest comeback stories in sports history, captivating golf fans worldwide.

Arnold Palmer: The Masters' Original Superstar

Arnold Palmer, known as "The King," won four Masters titles in a seven-year span between 1958 and 1964. Along with Nicklaus and Gary Player, Palmer was part of the "Big Three" that dominated golf in the 1960s, turning the Masters into the globally televised spectacle it is today.

Three-Time and Two-Time Green Jacket Winners

The following players have also achieved the rare feat of winning the Green Jacket multiple times:

• Three Wins: Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson.
• Two Wins: Horton Smith, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ben Crenshaw, José María Olazábal, Bubba Watson, Scottie Scheffler.

Fascinating Records and Facts About the Green Jacket and Augusta National

The history of the Masters is rich with unique traditions and records that add to its mystique and topical authority. The following facts highlight the tournament's enduring legacy and the incredible achievements of its champions.

Youngest and Oldest Champions

Tiger Woods holds the record for the youngest champion, winning in 1997 at 21 years, 3 months, and 14 days old. Conversely, Jack Nicklaus is the oldest champion, claiming his final Green Jacket in 1986 at 46 years, 2 months, and 23 days old.

The International Influence

While the Masters is an American tournament, its champions come from all corners of the globe. The first international winner was South Africa's Gary Player in 1961. Since then, champions have hailed from Spain (Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm), England (Nick Faldo, Danny Willett), Germany (Bernhard Langer), Canada (Mike Weir), Argentina (Ángel Cabrera), Australia (Adam Scott), Japan (Hideki Matsuyama), and others, underscoring the tournament's global prestige.

Wire-to-Wire Victories and Playoff Drama

Only a handful of players have won the Masters leading after every round, a challenging feat known as a "wire-to-wire" victory. These champions include Craig Wood (1941), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Raymond Floyd (1976), and Jordan Spieth (2015). The tournament has also seen its share of sudden-death playoff drama, with iconic finishes like Sergio Garcia's 2017 victory over Justin Rose.

Recent Dominance and Emerging Stars

The 2024 Masters saw Scottie Scheffler join the exclusive club of multiple winners, securing his second Green Jacket in three years. His dominance places him alongside golf legends who have quickly established a legacy at Augusta National. The runner-up in 2024, Ludvig Åberg, a rising star from Sweden, showcased the new generation of talent vying for the prestigious title. The continuous cycle of new champions and returning legends ensures that the pursuit of the Green Jacket remains the most compelling narrative in professional golf.