Your Route to Real News

Masters trophy explained as winner handed separate prize alongside green jacket

1346     0
Jon Rahm won the Masters in 2023 (Image: Getty Images)
Jon Rahm won the Masters in 2023 (Image: Getty Images)

The Masters green jacket is one of the most recognisable prizes in professional sport, with the chance to put on the famous piece of tailoring the biggest accolade in golf.

Some of the sport's greatest ever stars, from Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, to Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have got their hands on the green jacket, with Jon Rahm the latest recipient 12 months ago. The title of Masters champion will once again be on offer on Sunday, with Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa battling it out at the top of the leaderboard.

Scheffler is no stranger to winning around Augusta National, having landed his maiden major title in Georgia two years ago. Homa and Morikawa meanwhile will be looking to write their name into Masters history for the first time come Sunday evening.

READ MORE: The Masters LIVE: Latest leaderboard and scores as Scottie Scheffler eyes second green jacket

READ MORE: Tiger Woods' response to ridiculous Hole 18 farce at the Masters sums him up

LIV Golf 2023 predictions including marquee signings and PGA Tour deadlock eiqriqduiqzxprwLIV Golf 2023 predictions including marquee signings and PGA Tour deadlock

The man who does prevail as champion will not just be awarded the green jacket though, with Augusta bosses also handing out the Masters trophy to the eventual winner. The silverware often left in the shadow of the green jacket is a trophy replica of the famous Augusta clubhouse.

The trophy was first constructed back in 1961, when Gary Player became the maiden recipient of the award on the back of the first of his three Masters victories. The original was constructed in England, and was made up of 900 pieces of silver. It also remains on site at Augusta National.

In 1993 a replica trophy was created and handed out to champion, Bernard Langer. The Georgia setup also hands a replica gold medal to the winner each year. Of course the prize on every player's mind though is the green jacket, which has been handed out to each and every Masters champion.

Masters trophy explained as winner handed separate prize alongside green jacketTiger Woods last won the trophy in 2019 (Getty Images)

Each blazer remains onsite at Augusta National, with the only exception the most recent winner, who is able to take home their prize for their 12-month spell as champion. Rahm returned with his earlier this week, and opened up on the 'special' year he had as defending champion.

"I think if I were not to win this year, I'm probably not going to regret - I'm going to regret not wearing it more often and just taking it everywhere for just - for whatever, just because you have it," he said pre-tournament. " But, yeah, it is aweirdfeeling, right?

"Essentially, it's the only trophy you can't really keep at home. You do get a trophy, but the one that we all care about is the jacket. I think it's something really special to know when you win, that the only jacket that ever leaves Augusta National is that one.

"I think that's the most special part of all. So, it's a little bit - is it added motivation? No, because you still - I mean, winning is winning, right? But it would be quite special to be one of the few players "

Thomas Bristow

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus