1989 Masters Tournament: Faldo's First

Nick Faldo won his second major championship and first Green Jacket at the 1989 Masters, winning a playoff against Scott Hoch.

Faldo surged up a strong leaderboard in the final round with a 65 that vaulted him past Ben Crenshaw and Greg Norman, who tied for third, and Seve Ballesteros, who finished fourth. That 65 tied Faldo at 5-under-par with Hoch, who himself had a strong final round (69).

Both Norman and Crenshaw missed birdie putts on the final hole that would have put them into the playoff, too.

Hoch was in position to end the playoff on the first extra hole (the 10th), standing over a 2-foot birdie putt to win. But he missed that short putt and the playoff moved to a second hole (the 11th).

Faldo's drive was wild, far to the right of the fairway, and he needed a free drop away from a drain. He hit a 3-iron to the green, 25-feet from the flag, in gathering darkness. Faced with his own birdie putt to win, Faldo didn't miss, and the Masters championship was his.

Faldo was the first Englishman to win The Masters. He began his tournament with a 68, one off the lead set by Lee Trevino. Trevino and Faldo were tied for first following the second round.

Bad weather forced the third round to finish on Sunday morning, and Trevino completed an 81 that dropped him out of contention. Faldo didn't fare that much better, shooting a 77 that dropped him into a tie for ninth place.

But Faldo rebounded with that final-round 65, which included birdies on four of the final six holes, including the 16th and 17th. And, with some help from Hoch's short playoff miss, he went on to the win.

Hoch's short playoff miss has become one of the best-known "chokes" in golf history.

1989 Masters Scores

Results from the 1989 Masters golf tournament played at the par-72 Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. (x-won playoff):

1988 Masters | 1990 Masters

Return to list of Masters Winners