25 years later: The shot that might have launched the legend of Tiger Woods, and changed golf forever
In addition to the storyline of it likely being Tiger Woods' first tournament since a car accident, this year also marks the 25th anniversary of his first Masters and major tournament win that forever changed the game of golf.
![Augusta National plays through debate over Ga voting law](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ZlSAsLmGwd8lLprJvrsre6ZwWmM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/62OIQC45URF6JH3UQVZOD64IJU.jpg)
Augusta National plays through debate over Ga voting law
While a tempest brews outside Magnolia Lane over Georgiaโs voting rights law, Augusta National would prefer to keep the focus on blooming azaleas, pimento cheese sandwiches and tricky greens.
![Masters plans for a limited number of spectators in April](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/A913qstePiAmkAqnq5pRDf6t21A=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ADQVBY4MUBCY5FEDQ2AVOMBJNQ.jpg)
Masters plans for a limited number of spectators in April
FILE - Dustin Johnson waves after winning the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., in a Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, file photo. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, the club intends to allow a limited number of spectators for the Masters on April 8-11, provided it can be done safely, given the coronavirus pandemic. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said Tuesday the club intends to allow a limited number of spectators for the Masters on April 8-11, provided it can be done safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Ridley said holding the Masters with only essential personnel made the club confident in its ability to stage a major championship with limited fans. For the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt Finals, limited patrons would be allowed, most likely family members.
![The Latest: DJ coasts to 5-shot win and 1st Masters title](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/-t-6XmkTyStRfhwaJ3Mz8_eC8_o=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SCEOSHFBSJDIBNOANEM4HEOUMU.jpg)
The Latest: DJ coasts to 5-shot win and 1st Masters title
___12:20 p.m.Dustin Johnson has made the turn in the final round of the Masters with a two-shot lead over Cameron Smith. That broke a stretch of 33 consecutive holes without a bogey going back to the second round. The Masters leader three-putted from just off the front of the green at the par-3 fourth hole in the final round. The final round of the Masters began with another weather delay, this one only 10 minutes because of fog. Johnson is the 16th player to lead by four shots or more going into the final round at Augusta National.
![The Latest: Johnson ties Masters' 54-hole record at 16 under](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/e7vOvjTWIaCI4_iglaiem0707HA=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EOQIFRDDYJD73N55OCXLLFGPKE.jpg)
The Latest: Johnson ties Masters' 54-hole record at 16 under
He quickly distanced himself from the pack with an eagle on the second hole, then followed with birdies on Nos. Mickelson drove into a batch of pine trees, then actually went backward when his second shot ricocheted off one of the trees. ___12:30 p.m.Dustin Johnson eagled the second hole at Augusta National to move into the lead alone in the Masters. On the 575-yard, par-5 second hole, Johnson followed a 363-yard drive with an approach that ended up 3 feet from the pin. ___8:10 a.m.Vijay Singh has withdrawn from the Masters because of illness after completing 10 holes in the second round.
![Ageless wonder Bernhard Langer oldest to make Masters cut](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/nc36UWT6bRaPX0QTOy6cGso4mPQ=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PTA34DVWJNACBDDSMPI72TAD3E.jpg)
Ageless wonder Bernhard Langer oldest to make Masters cut
Langer, a two-time Masters champion and ageless wonder, gets to play two more rounds. He became the oldest player to make the 36-hole cut at the Masters, topping the record by Tommy Aaron in 2000 by 33 days. Tiger Woods constantly cites Langer and Fred Couples as examples of Masters champions who can find their way around the course and post good scores. When golf returned from the pandemic in June, Langer teed it up twice on the PGA Tour because the 50-and-older PGA Tour Champions had not resumed. Langer still decided to check on the policy on Tuesday night during the Masters Club dinner for past champions.
![Augusta National in November? 5 reasons why this yearโs Masters will stand alone in history](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/socTDbEcdFehEXcq2OE8UUTeN-c=/1600x941/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3UPYVZRJR5H2ZBJYNWPTIMFGEE.jpg)
Augusta National in November? 5 reasons why this yearโs Masters will stand alone in history
If youโre clicking around on the remote control while watching TV this weekend, odds are, youโll stumble on som sights of Augusta National Golf Club. Yes, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, that will be the case for the first time in the history of the illustrious tournament. Paul Casey of England plays a shot on the second hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 09, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith) (Getty Images)One of the reasons the Masters is often the most-rated golf tournament is the stunning sight of azaleas and other flowers throughout the course. No fansThis wonโt be any different from any other golf tournament or major sporting event this year.
![The Latest: Woods off to bogey-free start in Masters defense](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/kdDj6L9g-gVFhkOkBmw4uFJk8ZI=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7EKX6QSQXZECXFMIZIQYH5J35I.jpg)
The Latest: Woods off to bogey-free start in Masters defense
Also, itโs the first bogey-free round for Woods in a major since the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine. The 43-year-old Englishman is leading the Masters after shooting a 7-under 65 in the opening round. But he turned things around in his return to Augusta National, which was delayed for seven months by the coronavirus pandemic. ___2:05 p.m.Tiger Woods is off to a strong start in defense of his Masters championship. He has six top-10 finishes at Augusta National, including a second-place finish in 2010 and a tie for second in 2016.
![The Masters in November gives golf a big sendoff](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/kmVG5IynTJuY10R86qUzJqdAo50=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RUZ6DECDQBB2FLXJUTPX7UTOQA.jpg)
The Masters in November gives golf a big sendoff
It's November, and I think everybody just has to embrace that we're here and we're playing and that's a great thing." In some respects, this Masters is a celebration of what golf has done and a sendoff the sport has never had. For many, it signaled the start of golf season, whether that meant playing or watching. โAll the Masters I've watched over the years in Ireland, the golfing season started normally the weekend of the Masters,โ British Open champion Shane Lowry said. โI think when The Open Championship was canceled, I had serious doubts we'd play a Masters this year in 2020,โ McIlroy said.
![A quiet start to empty week at Augusta National for Masters](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/QledU0CYFP_IrAyxBM8fRRgps8U=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VA465CQV2RA55BTXFVR4SZMOAQ.jpg)
A quiet start to empty week at Augusta National for Masters
Instead of Augusta National members and their guests, the course was filled Monday with Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth, all of them playing a practice round on a course that only looked the same. The COVID-19 pandemic that shut down golf for three months forced a reconfigured major championship schedule unlike any other, particularly at the Masters. "The things that will be the same is it still means the same to us all, and maybe even more so because we return to Augusta National every year. This is the Augusta National hardly anyone gets to see. When it means going to Augusta National to get ready for the Masters โ April, November, doesn't matter โ it takes the sting off.
![Garcia withdraws from Masters after positive COVID-19 test](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/JDYL8qaZJRDh1S6bXbvn0ERWZzc=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZB26M2DZMBHTLFQBEZ4W7IHOXA.jpg)
Garcia withdraws from Masters after positive COVID-19 test
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)AUGUSTA, Ga. โ Sergio Garcia pulled out of the Masters on Monday after informing Augusta National he tested positive for the coronavirus, making him the second player to withdraw following a positive test. Garcia won his only major at the Masters three years ago in his 19th appearance, the most of any player before winning a green jacket. โAfter 21 years of not missing a major championship, I will sadly miss the Masters this week,โ he tweeted. He brings to 15 the number of PGA Tour players who have tested positive since golf returned in June from the COVID-19 pandemic-caused shutdown. Adam Scott tested positive a week later in California and also had to withdraw.
![The road to the Masters is a long way from Augusta National](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/-ETJStgPOVk3xMPYu_Fdz7aWYKQ=/1600x1067/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XDUW7OIW7JFGDOWHBPIU67TSME.jpg)
The road to the Masters is a long way from Augusta National
( (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. โ This is no ordinary road to the Masters. Four of the top five players in the world are at Shadow Creek, with top-ranked Dustin Johnson pulling out after his positive test for the coronavirus. Rory McIlroy thinks Shadow Creek might be even better than what Florida offers because of the bentgrass greens that are fast with big slopes. โIt's not a bad place to prepare for Augusta,โ McIlroy said Wednesday. McIlroy is at Shadow Creek and Sherwood the next two weeks.