 Front cover of the 1998 Masters Journal | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 9–12, 1998 |
| Location | Augusta, Georgia 33°30′11″N 82°01′12″W / 33.503°N 82.020°W |
| Course(s) | Augusta National Golf Club |
| Organized by | Augusta National Golf Club |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour European Tour Japan Golf Tour |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,925 yards (6,332 m) |
| Field | 88 players, 46 after cut |
| Cut | 150 (+6) |
| Prize fund | US$3.2 million |
| Winner's share | $576,000 |
| Champion | |
 Mark O'Meara | |
| 279 (−9) | |
| Location map | |
  Augusta National Location in the United States  Augusta National Location in Georgia | |
The 1998 Masters Tournament was the 62nd Masters Tournament, held from April 9–12 at Augusta National Golf Club. Mark O'Meara won his first major championship with a 20-foot (6 m) birdie putt on the final hole to win by one stroke over runners-up David Duval and Fred Couples.[1] [2] He birdied three of the final four holes in a final round 67 (−5).[3]
In one of the most remarkable performances of his career, Jack Nicklaus tied for sixth place at the age of 58. His final round 68 (−4) yielded a 283 (−5), the lowest 72-hole score by a player over age 50 at the Masters until Phil Mickelson shot a score of 280 (−8) in the 2023 tournament. Nicklaus was in contention for the title until well into the back nine holes in the final round. It was his last serious run for a major championship, twelve years after his sixth Masters victory in 1986.[1]
In his first Masters, David Toms shot a 29 (−7) on the back nine on Sunday, en route to a 64 (−8). He had six consecutive birdies on holes 12–17.[4]
O'Meara's win came in his 15th attempt at Augusta, setting a record for appearances before a victory. He had previously been considered one of the best players to never win a major. Later in July, he won the Open Championship and earned PGA Tour Player of the Year honors for 1998.
Matt Kuchar, a 19-year-old sophomore at Georgia Tech, was the low amateur at even-par 288 and tied for 21st place. The reigning U.S. Amateur champion, he carded a four-under 68 in the third round.
- ^ a b Rushin, Steve (April 20, 1998). "Out of the Woods". Sports Illustrated. p. 32.
- ^ Dulac, Gerry (April 13, 1998). "Oh, My". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C-1.
- ^ Bonk, Thomas (April 13, 1998). "O'Meara clears major hurdle". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). (from Los Angeles Times). p. 1B.
- ^ "Toms makes run at record book in final-round 64". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). April 13, 1998. p. 3B.