1998 Masters Tournament

1998 Masters Tournament
Front cover of the 1998 Masters Journal
Tournament information
DatesApril 9–12, 1998
LocationAugusta, Georgia
33°30′11″N 82°01′12″W / 33.503°N 82.020°W / 33.503; -82.020
Course(s)Augusta National Golf Club
Organized byAugusta National Golf Club
Tour(s)PGA Tour
European Tour
Japan Golf Tour
Statistics
Par72
Length6,925 yards (6,332 m)
Field88 players, 46 after cut
Cut150 (+6)
Prize fundUS$3.2 million
Winner's share$576,000
Champion
United States Mark O'Meara
279 (−9)
Location map
Augusta National is located in the United States
Augusta National
Augusta National
Location in the United States
Augusta National is located in Georgia
Augusta National
Augusta National
Location in Georgia
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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.

  1. ^ a b Rushin, Steve (April 20, 1998). "Out of the Woods". Sports Illustrated. p. 32.
  2. ^ Dulac, Gerry (April 13, 1998). "Oh, My". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C-1.
  3. ^ Bonk, Thomas (April 13, 1998). "O'Meara clears major hurdle". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). (from Los Angeles Times). p. 1B.
  4. ^ "Toms makes run at record book in final-round 64". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). April 13, 1998. p. 3B.