Jack Nicklaus has the most Masters wins in tournament history, with six.
But Nicklaus also is one of three players to have placed second the most times at Augusta National Golf Club.
Twenty players — including Arnold Palmer, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods — have come close to glory at least twice at Augusta. The 83rd Masters Tournament tees off Thursday, April 11.
Tom Kite (1983, ’86 and ’97), Tom Watson (1978, ’79 and ’84) and Raymond Floyd (1985, ’90 and ’92) each had three runner-up finishes.
Greg Norman, the “Shark,” famously finished as runner-up three times at Augusta National in 1986, ’87 and ’96. Arguably the most crushing loss came in 1996 when Norman shot an unfathomable 6-over 78 final round and succumbed a six-stroke lead to rival Nick Faldo, who won by six strokes.
Kite joined Norman as runner-ups in 1986 when Nicklaus roared back to win by a shot.
Unlike Watson and Floyd, Kite nor Norman ever won the Masters.
Nicklaus and Ben Hogan combined have eight Masters wins. Along with Tom Weiskopf, the trio have 12 close calls together.
Nicklaus reigned in Augusta in 1963, ’65, ’66, ’72, ’75, and lastly, 11 years later in 1986. His runner-up finishes came in 1964, ’71, ’77 and ’81.
Hogan, a two-time Masters champion, had bridesmaid finishes in 1942, ’46, ’54 and ’55.
Of the three players with four Masters runner-up finishes, only Weiskopf never donned a green jacket. In fact, Weiskopf finished second place to Nicklaus twice (1972 and ’75).
In 1977, Watson earned the first of his two Masters wins, finishing two strokes ahead of Nicklaus. In 1981, Watson denied Nicklaus again, finishing two strokes ahead.
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