Masters champions

When Angel Cabrera of Argentina endured a two-hole playoff to win the 2009 Masters, he added his name to a list including most of golf’s elite.

The annual pilgrimage to Augusta, Georgia, is the opener for golf’s “major” season, setting the table for the U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA championships that follow in the summer months. The venue, Augusta National, is one of golf’s most breathtaking,  especially when the spring flowers and dogwoods are in full bloom.

Of course, a bad weather day at Augusta can be as miserable as it gets, and many a Masters weekend has offered both extremes. Whatever the conditions, Augusta has produced many of golf’s most memorable moments, humbling some of the game’s greatest players while providing more than a few surprising winners.

Here are the last 10 men to slip on the green jacket, and a little bit of what they did to earn the privilege:

2009 — Angel Cabrera: Beat Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a playoff to claim his first green jacket.

2008 — Trevor Immelman: Overcame a shaky final round to beat Tiger by three shots.

2007 — Zach Johnson: Edged three players, including Tiger Woods, for a two-stroke win.

2006 — Phil Mickelson: Grabbed his second green jacket in three years with a two-stroke win over Tim Clark.

2005 — Tiger Woods: Won his fourth green jacket with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden death playoff, defeating Chris DiMarco.

2004 — Phil Mickelson: Made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win his first major, beating Ernie Els by a stroke.

2003 — Mike Weir: First Canadian and first lefthander to win the Masters. Defeated Len Mattiace on the first playoff hole.

2002 — Tiger Woods: Defended his title by shooting a 66 on Saturday before cruising to a three-shot win over Retief Goosen.

2001 – Tiger Woods: Finished 16 under par, two shots better than David Duval.

2000 – Vijay Singh: Final round 69 was good enough for a three-shot win over Ernie Els.

Source: Masters.com

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