Adam Scott – 2013 Champion
The current PGA Tour shutdown has afforded an opportunity to revisit a back catalogue of Major tournament coverage.
Seve Ballesteros – Masters Champion 1983
The Masters’ Sunday viewing is almost as captivating today as it was watching live coverage of Seve in 1983 through to Tiger’s comeback in 2019. Leaderboards each year comprise of familiar faces and forces. Contenders presenting their own unique personality and approach. The grandeur of Nicklaus & Palmer, the flair of Ballesteros & Mickelson, the bravado of Norman and the respectful manner of Crenshaw. As the Masters takes place each year at Augusta, we can follow a continuous story through the decades.
Norman and Faldo in 1996
Augusta is a unique test in golf. Champions share the purest of motivations. Artists dedicated to their destiny. Precision, patience, strategy and courage. Pretenders pressured to falter by golfing witchcraft. The Masters presents multiple winners: Nicklausx6 Tigerx4 Faldox3, Sevex2, Langerx2, Olazabalx2, Micklesonx2, Crenshawx2, Bubbax2. Not many ever win a Green Jacket.
Golden Bear wins at Augusta in 1986
And what of golf fashions of The Masters Champions? By the 80’s, golfing apparel had mostly moved beyond the tweed and plaid of Caddyshack. PGA Tour players have paid increasing attention to their professional image and style. Premium golf fashion brands such as Lacoste, Boss and Sergio Tacchini primarily tailored towards exclusive lifestyle.
Danny Willett 2016 Masters Win
The tournament fashions of Olazabal, Couples and Lyle also remainded natural and classic, blending players with Augusta’s azaleas and dogwoods, in harmony with the unique Masters’ atmosphere, aligned for precision performance.
Tiegr’s 4th Masters Win 2019
The evolution of golf branding over the past two decades reflects the dominance of Tiger Woods following his first Masters victory in 1997. While Tiger remains motivated by the history books of the game, his athleticism and exuberance has resulted in a “progressive” shift towards golf as an inclusive and diverse sport. Golf is now branded by leading companies such as Nike and Addidas as an athletic pursuit, trending away from its previous country-club underpinning.
Bubba’s first Masters win 2012
These more recent golf fashion trends are supported by advances in golf technology, reducing risk and increasing reward for the more athletic and stronger players. Golf course designers have assisted by extending golf course layouts. As a result, success in golf is now trending towards gym time and muscle mass, with talent and touch under threat.
Rory at at Par-5 2nd hole at Augusta
Today’s players are marketed as accessible Sports personalities rather than as aspirational lifestyle icons. This modern approach risks undermining the players’ natural ability. Public personas can be projected away from the required mindset for success at Augusta in particular.
DJ at Augusta!
Leading players including Koepka, DJ, Rory, Thomas, Finau, Rahm and Matsuyama appear to be from a similar “stable” in terms of strategy and playing style. It is notable however that Augusta so far has defended its Jackets from this power advance, while at the same time extending its length to a formidable 7600 yards. Recent Masters Champions have featured instead the more idiosyncratic Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Willett, Sergio, Reed and of course Tiger.
Sergio’s victory in 2017!
With the 2020 Masters postponed from April, the golfing world anticipates a possible October edition. Given the far-reaching impact of current world events, leading golfing brands will no doubt be carefully managing their Autumn collections towards achieving Augusta green for their leading stars.
For further details on attending The Masters in 2020 or in 2021, please contact golf@Ascotgolf.com.