It Would Take A Herculean Effort To Break The Record
With the 2026 US Masters very much on the horizon, golf fans across the world will be eagerly anticipating the most prestigious event on the calendar. Set in the backdrop of the world famous Augusta National Golf Club, the extravaganza brings the planet’s finest together to compete for the highly sought-after Green Jacket.
The Masters is typically a tense and tight affair with at least a number of competitors jostling for glory going into the Sunday home straight. However, some editions do generate runaway leaders who quite literally dominate the rest of the field.
Here at BetVictor News, we take a look back at the biggest winning margins at the Masters since the tournament was first held in 1934. Naturally, the list contains some of the finest to ever pick up a club.
Biggest Winning Margins At The Masters
Tiger Woods – 12 strokes (1997)
Although the US Masters odds are very much against Tiger Woods in 2026, his historic and heroic showing in 1997 propelled him into the stratosphere. Woods was simply unplayable and not only did he post the biggest winning margin at the Masters, he was the youngest ever recipient of the Green Jacket and shot the lowest score of -18 (since beaten by Dustin Johnson).
Jack Nicklaus – 9 strokes (1965)
When it comes to the US Masters winners list, the legendary Jack Nicklaus sits top of the pile with five victories to his name. The second of those wins in 1965 saw the Golden Bear finish nine strokes ahead of Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.
Raymond Floyd – 8 strokes (1976)
In 1976, Raymond Floyd won every single round on his way to landing his only US Masters title. He finished 8 strokes ahead of eventual runner-up Ben Crenshaw to complete his second major championship win having landed the PGA Championship in 1969. Floyd would go on to win the tournament again in 1982 before claiming victory the U.S. Open in 1986.
Cary Middlecoff – 7 strokes (1955)
Cary Middlecoff – the dentist who gave up his practice to play pro golf – enjoyed the highlight of his career in the 1955 edition of the US Masters. Middlecoff finished on -9 and a full 7 strokes ahead of Ben Hogan. At the time, it was the biggest winning margin at the Masters.
Arnold Palmer – 6 strokes (1964)
A year prior to Jack Nicklaus’ win by 9 strokes, Arnold Palmer entered the list when he finished 6 shots clear of the Golden Bear and Dave Marr who finished T2. Palmer won a total of seven majors with four of them coming at Augusta. His victory in 1964 was his last in Georgia.
Claude Harmon – 5 strokes (1948)
The finest highlight of Claude Harmon’s career came in 1948 when he won the Masters by 5 strokes. Harmon was club pro when he slipped on the Green Jacket and was also renowned for being a golf instructor. His son Butch Harmon would follow in his father’s footsteps and taught the likes of Tiger Woods and Greg Norman.
Ben Hogan – 5 strokes (1953)
Not only did Ben Hogan win the 1953 US Masters by 5 strokes, he fired a 274 which meant he finished on -14 – a record that remained until Jack Nicklaus’ -17 in 1965. Hogan would land the Grand Slam in the same year when he went on to win the U.S. Open and the Open.
Nick Faldo – 5 strokes (1996)
30 years ago, Nick Faldo won his third US Masters title when Greg Norman’s final day collapse allowed the Englishman to capitalise. Norman went into the 4th round with a six-shot lead but his capitulation meant Faldo finished 5 strokes ahead posting a score of 276 (-12).
Dustin Johnson – 5 strokes (2020)
The pandemic meant the 2020 edition took place in the autumn and Dustin Johnson created history by finishing on -20. Interestingly, his record-breaking feat only saw him win by 5 strokes ahead of Im Sung-jae and Cameron Smith.
If you intend to bet on the 2026 US Masters then please take the time to read through BetVictor’s safe and responsible gambling page which will provide good advice on how to stay in control when betting on golf.
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