1960
Arnold Palmer birdied the final two holes to become the tournament’s second wire-to-wire winner. The Par 3 contest was also introduced in 1960, with three-time Masters champion Sam Snead winning at 4-under par.
1961
Despite the fact that ten players had already completed their rounds, heavy rains flooded several greens on Sunday and final round scores were erased. On Monday, Gary Player became the first international Masters champion by besting Arnold Palmer and amateur Charles Coe by one stroke for his first title.
1962
It took a three-way playoff, but Arnold Palmer was able to win the third of his four Masters titles in 1962. With near misses in 1959 and 1961, Palmer said 1962 could have been his fifth consecutive title at Augusta.
1963
The 1963 Masters was the end of one era and the start of another. Jack Nicklaus won the first of his record six green jackets at 23 years old, but it was also the final appearance of inaugural champion Horton Smith. Smith was the only player to participate in every tournament, even after having a lung removed in 1957. Aided by a golf cart and battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Smith shot 91-86 at Augusta before passing away six months later in Detroit at 55.
1964
Arnold Palmer ran away with the title in 1964 to become the first four-time winner. Palmer was later joined by fellow four-time winners Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Speaking of the Golden Bear …
1965
Golf’s “Big Three” of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player were all tied for the lead after 36 holes, but an 8-under Saturday 64 from Nicklaus pulled him ahead en route to his second Masters title at 25 years old. His 17-under was a tournament record. Said Bobby Jones of Nicklaus’ historic performance: “He plays a game with which I am not familiar.”
1966
Jack Nicklaus became the first player to defend his Masters title in 1966, but did so with a heavy heart. While on their way to Augusta, a close friend died in a plane crash in Tennessee the night before the tournament began. Despite hearing the news late Wednesday night, Nicklaus was able to compose himself enough to shoot an opening-round 68.
1967
Gay Brewer rebounded from a 1966 playoff loss to win his only major title in 1967, while two-time defending champion Jack Nicklaus missed the cut and became the first defending champion not to make the weekend cut.
1968
It seemed as if Bob Goalby and Roberto De Vicenzo would be heading for an 18-hole Monday playoff in 1968 had it not been for an incorrect scorecard. De Vicenzo birdied the par-4 17th hole, but his playing partner, Tommy Aaron, marked him down for a four. USGA rules said the higher score must stand, giving Goalby his first and only major title. Ironically enough, Goalby discovered a scoring error for his playing partner Raymond Floyd, but he caught the mistake in the scorer’s tent.
1969
It was the first time in Masters history that no former champions finished in the top 20. The best were Jack Burke, Jr. and Jack Nicklaus at T-24.
(Click next for 1970-1979)
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