The Green Jacket Chronicles: A Complete List Of Past US Masters Winners (2025 Update)
The US Masters Tournament, a tradition unlike any other in golf, continues to captivate the world every April. As of December 23, 2025, the list of champions who have earned the coveted Green Jacket is a roll call of golf's greatest legends, including the most recent winner, Rory McIlroy, who finally completed his career Grand Slam in a thrilling playoff at Augusta National Golf Club in 2025. This article provides a deep dive into the history, the records, and the full list of champions who have etched their names into the storied grounds of the Masters.
The aura of the Masters is unmatched, a major championship defined by its exclusivity and history. From the first tournament in 1934 to the dramatic finish of the 2025 event, the champions' list is a testament to skill, pressure, and the enduring legacy of the sport. Understanding the past US Masters winners is to understand the evolution of professional golf itself.
The Newest Legends: Masters Champions from 2023 to 2025
The most recent era of the Masters has delivered some of the most compelling and highly anticipated finishes in the tournament's history. The champions from the last three years—Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and Rory McIlroy—represent the pinnacle of modern golf and have each added a significant chapter to the Masters' lore. These victories are fresh in the minds of golf fans globally, setting the stage for future drama on the hallowed fairways of Augusta, Georgia.
Rory McIlroy (2025): The Career Grand Slam Achieved
In a moment golf fans had waited over a decade for, Rory McIlroy secured his first Green Jacket in 2025. The victory was particularly monumental as it completed his Career Grand Slam, making him only the sixth player in history to achieve the feat. McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff after a dramatic final round, posting a winning score of 277. The emotional win solidified his status among the game's all-time greats.
Scottie Scheffler (2024): The Reigning World No. 1's Dominance
Scottie Scheffler, the World No. 1, continued his impressive run in 2024 by claiming his second Masters title. His consistent play and mental fortitude proved too much for the field, as he navigated the challenging conditions to finish with a score of 277. Scheffler’s victory reaffirmed his position as the dominant force in professional golf and added another major championship to his rapidly growing resume.
Jon Rahm (2023): Seve's Legacy Continues
Jon Rahm's 2023 victory was a powerful tribute to his Spanish compatriot and idol, Seve Ballesteros, as he won on what would have been Ballesteros’ 66th birthday. Rahm’s winning score of 276 was a masterclass in ball striking, overcoming a strong challenge from Brooks Koepka. His triumph made him the fourth Spaniard to win the Masters, following Seve, José María Olazábal, and Sergio García.
The All-Time Masters Champions List (1934–2025)
The list of past US Masters winners is a prestigious document, chronicling nearly a century of golf history. The tournament, first played in 1934, has seen 56 different champions. Horton Smith was the inaugural winner. The following table highlights the champions from the last decade and a selection of notable historical winners, demonstrating the depth of talent that has conquered Augusta National.
Recent and Notable Masters Winners:
- 2025: Rory McIlroy (277) - Completed Career Grand Slam.
- 2024: Scottie Scheffler (277) - Second Masters title.
- 2023: Jon Rahm (276) - Fourth Spanish champion.
- 2022: Scottie Scheffler (278) - First major championship.
- 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (278) - First Japanese male major champion.
- 2020: Dustin Johnson (268) - Set the tournament scoring record.
- 2019: Tiger Woods (275) - Fifth Masters win, a major comeback.
- 2018: Patrick Reed (273)
- 2017: Sergio García (279) - Won in a playoff.
- 2016: Danny Willett (283)
- 2015: Jordan Spieth (270) - Tied the 72-hole scoring record.
- 1997: Tiger Woods - Youngest champion and largest margin of victory (12 strokes).
- 1986: Jack Nicklaus - Oldest champion at 46.
- 1934: Horton Smith - The first-ever Masters champion.
This list is a testament to the diverse group of golfers who have triumphed on golf's grandest stage. Each name carries the weight of history, forever linked to the Green Jacket and the unique atmosphere of the Masters Tournament.
The Unbreakable Records and All-Time Giants of the Masters
While winning a single Green Jacket is a career-defining achievement, a select few have dominated the tournament, setting records that may never be broken. These giants of the game—Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Palmer—form the 'Big Three' of Masters history, their names synonymous with the event's most iconic moments. Their repeated success provides a benchmark for every aspiring Masters champion.
Jack Nicklaus: The Golden Bear's Six-Pack
Jack Nicklaus holds the undisputed record for the most Masters wins with six victories. His triumphs spanned a remarkable 23 years, from his first win in 1963 to his legendary final win in 1986 at the age of 46, making him the oldest champion in history. Nicklaus’s consistent excellence and ability to perform under pressure on the back nine of Augusta is legendary. His six Green Jackets (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986) are a monumental feat of topical authority in golf.
Tiger Woods: The Youngest and Most Dominant Champion
Tiger Woods is second on the all-time list with five Masters victories. His first win in 1997 was arguably the most dominant performance in major championship history, where he became the youngest champion at 21 years and 104 days old. He also set the record for the widest winning margin, defeating the field by an astonishing 12 strokes. Woods’s other victories in 2001, 2002, 2005, and his emotional comeback win in 2019, cemented his status as one of the most successful golfers at Augusta National.
Arnold Palmer: The King's Four Titles
Arnold Palmer, known as 'The King,' was instrumental in popularizing the Masters in the television era. He won the Masters four times (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964), forming the third leg of the 'Big Three' alongside Nicklaus and Gary Player, who also won three times. Palmer's charismatic style and dramatic finishes helped establish the Masters as a must-watch global sporting event.
The Significance of the Green Jacket and the Champions Dinner
The Masters is unique among the four major championships due to its traditions, most notably the presentation of the Green Jacket. This jacket is only worn by members of Augusta National and past champions, symbolizing the winner's permanent membership in one of golf's most exclusive clubs. The tradition requires the previous year's winner to present the jacket to the new champion, a moment of profound respect and continuity.
Another beloved tradition is the Champions Dinner, held on the Tuesday before the tournament begins. Instituted by Ben Hogan in 1952, this dinner is exclusively for past champions, and the defending champion selects the menu. This intimate gathering is a unique opportunity for golf legends, from the oldest living champion to the newest winner, to share stories and camaraderie, further reinforcing the bond between the past US Masters winners and the tournament's enduring legacy. The menu choices, which often reflect the champion's heritage, become an international talking point every year, adding a cultural layer to the event.
The journey to becoming a Masters champion is one of the most difficult in golf. It requires not only exceptional skill but also the mental fortitude to handle the immense pressure of Amen Corner and the challenging final holes. Every name on the list of past US Masters winners, from Horton Smith to Rory McIlroy, is a testament to a golfer who conquered one of the sport's most beautiful and demanding courses.
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