The Masters Tournament is 48 hours away and the golf world is on the edge of its seat. Everyone has already prepared their list of favorites and is ready not to miss a single detail, although more than one would give an arm to know what the final result will be.
No one can see the future, least of all when it comes to golf. But we can take a look at how the Masters has behaved along the way. Specifically, what details have characterized the winners of golf’s most coveted title.
Renowned PGA Tour data analyst Ron Klos helps us do just that. Here are the 20 ultimate trends of the Masters winners over the past five decades (and even longer):
- 44 of the last 44 winners had played in at least 1 pravious Masters Tournament
- 18 of the last 18 winners were not the betting favorite for the week
- 25 of the last 26 winners made the cut at the Masters the year before they won
- 24 of the last 26 winners had finished 30th or better in a pravious Masters Tournament
- 23 of the last 26 winners finished 38th or better at the Masters the year before they won
- 56 of the last 59 winners did not win the Masters the year before
- 2 of the last 24 winners were ranked in the top 30 in the World Rankings
- 13 of the last 15 winners had at least 4 previous career wins.
- 13 of the last 15 winners had won a toumament on U.S. soil within the two years leading up to their Masters win
- 12 of the last 14 winners had finished in the top-6 of a major tournament within the two years leading up to their Masters win
- 13 of the last 14 winners had at least 1 previous top-8 finish in the seven events before the Masters
- 12 of the last 12 winners had gained at least 18 total strokes tee-to-green in the four events before their Masters win
- 11 of the last 14 winners finished 35th or higher on their last start before the Masters Tournament
- 14 of the last 14 winners ranked inside the top 20 in “SG: Tee-to-Green” in the year leading up to their Masters win
- 14 of the last 16 winners ranked outside the top 60 for the season in “SG: Putting” in the year leading up to their Masters win
- 14 of the last 15 winners ranked inside the top 50 for the season in “Driving Distance” in the year leading up to their Masters win
- 10 of the last 11 winners had gained at least 0.25 strokes per raund “Around the Green” in the 16 rounds before their Masters win
- 12 of the last 14 winners ranked inside the top 40 for the season in “Par 5 Scoring” in the year leading up to thair Masters win
- 12 of the last 15 winners ranked inside the top 40 for the season in “Going for the Green” in the year leading up to their Masters win
- 18 of the last 21 winners ware aged 27 or older
According to Ron Klos, no single player fits all 20 trends. Here is how he summed it up:
- Only one player fits 19 of the 20 trends: Xander Schauffele
- Four players fit 18 of 20 trends: Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama and Tony Finau
- Three players fit 17 of 20 trends: Rory McIlroy, Si Woo Kim and Cameron Young
The Masters: The “Other” Trends
Of course, athletic tendencies are not enough to predict the winner of the Masters Tournament. Winning the green jacket requires an extra dose of qualities that cannot be measured by the Stroke Gained method. How did this part of the trends work out? Let’s get into it.
Sportshandle.com‘s comprehensive analysis of past Masters winners sheds light on what it takes to triumph at Augusta. The typical Masters champion is 32 years old, with the median age also standing at 32, showcasing the blend of experience and youthful vigor required to conquer the challenging course.
American dominance is evident, with 72.4% of the wins claimed by U.S. golfers. Spain and South Africa follow, with notable performances from their representatives. The average weight of a Masters champion is 183 lbs (83 kg), with a median weight of 185 lbs (84 kg), while the average height is 5.957 ft (181.58 cm), with a median height of 6 ft (183 cm), underlining the physical attributes often associated with success in golf.
Education plays a significant role, with 57.1% of the winners having pursued higher education. This emphasis on learning and development extends beyond the fairways of Augusta.
When it comes to names, the letter “B” reigns supreme, with seven individual winners boasting names starting with this letter. “C” and “J” follow closely, reflecting the diverse range of champions who have etched their names in Masters history.
Astrological signs also seem to play a part, with Pisces, Cancer, and Virgo emerging as the most successful signs among Masters champions, adding a touch of mystique to the tournament’s lore.
Birth months reveal interesting trends, with February and November being the most common months for champions to be born, hinting at potential astrological influences on success at Augusta.
San Diego stands out as the only city to produce three separate Masters champions: Billy Casper, Craig Stadler & Phil Mickelson, showcasing the diverse origins of golfing talent that converge at the Masters.
In the realm of attire, a blend of tradition and personal style emerges. Short-sleeved golf polo shirts are the preferred choice for 77% of winners on the final day, with plain one-color shirts being the most popular option at 60.7%. Nike makes its mark with 15.3% of winners sporting the brand on their victorious day. Headwear preferences vary, with baseball caps being the top choice for 54.1% of champions, while visor hats find favor with 16.4%. White and black hats dominate the headgear landscape, reflecting the classic elegance associated with the Masters.
In conclusion, the Masters champions embody a unique blend of talent, physical attributes, education, and even astrological signs. This data-driven glimpse into the traits of past winners adds a layer of intrigue to the storied history of the Masters Golf Tournament, showcasing the diverse paths to victory at Augusta National.