Peter Bills: All-time top ten at Augusta

1934

The first Augusta National Invitational - it didn't become the Masters until later - laid the groundwork for what would become the world's greatest golf tournament. Investment banker Clifford Roberts and the great Bobby Jones, saw the land, a nursery, and despite the Depression, bought it. They brought in British course architect Alister Mackenzie, who died the year of the first tournament. Jones' presence as a player ensured great interest but he didn't win it. Horton Smith did, and repeated his victory two years later.

1961

The first 26 years had seen only American winners. But in 1961 South African Gary Player changed things for good. He had to beat the best in the world, Arnold Palmer, to do it. Palmer had won the Masters in 1958 and 1960. Player matched him but struggled to hold it together in the final round, shooting 74 to win by a shot from Palmer and Charlie Coe.

1965

The only time the three great golfing galacticos - Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player - finished one, two and three in a major. Nicklaus walked away with the title. He shot 271, a record, with three rounds below 70. His third round 64 equalled the course record, too. Palmer and Player tied for second, nine shots back.

1978

Gary Player's surge to victory on the final afternoon was sensational. He'd started the tournament seven shots behind American Hubert Green. Even after nine holes, Player looked no more than a likely well-placed finisher. But he suddenly found his greatest form, shooting seven birdies in the last 10 holes, completing the back nine in just 30 shots for a final round score of 64. That run swept him to the title and his ninth major. At 42 years, five months and nine days, he remains the second oldest winner of a green jacket.

1980

The great Spaniard Seve Ballesteros came to Augusta as the most thrilling player in Europe. Ballesteros was in his pomp, a point proven as he raced into a three-stroke lead after two rounds, a seven-shot advantage by the Saturday evening and a 10-stroke lead with nine holes left on the Sunday afternoon. He won by four and repeated three years later.

1984

Ben Crenshaw, the quiet American, revelled in the event's history and drama. On Sunday, an extraordinary 21m putt on the 10th kept his challenge alive. Then, on the 14th, he holed a brutal downhill putt and went on to win by two from Tom Watson.

1986

Jack Nicklaus' challenge looked over after a first-round 74. None could have foreseen the drama of the final afternoon. He attacked relentlessly and, as others faltered, the Golden Bear had his golden moment at 46 - the oldest winner. He came home in 30 for a 65 which eased him into his record sixth green jacket.

1987

Larry Mize was born and grew up in Augusta, and dreamt of winning on home turf. He'd only ever won once on the US tour, but tied with Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros on 285. Ballesteros three putted on the first extra hole and was eliminated. With Norman looking nailed-on at the next, Mize was faced with a 42m chip on to a fast green with water behind. But his chip bounced twice before reaching the green, shot across the slick surface and rolled in. Norman missed his putt and Mize's dream had come true.

1996

Greg Norman started the final round six shots clear of playing partner, Nick Faldo. The Great White Shark had fired a course record-equalling 63 in the first round. A colleague told the big Aussie, "Mate, even you can't cock this up from here." But he dumped an approach into the sand at the first and his nerves shattered. Faldo played cool, tight golf and watched a human horror show unfold. Norman's 78 to Faldo's winning 67 represented an extraordinary 11-shot turnaround.

1997

The first year of the Tiger. Never before at Augusta, in America's Deep South, had anyone other than a white man won the green jacket. Many fans walked out rather than watch Woods break the mould. Tiger confirmed all the hype by seizing the lead in the second round and keeping it. He shot 70, 66, 65, 69 for 270 - an extraordinary 18 under - the biggest ever winning margin. It made him, at 21, the youngest winner of any major since World War II.