Most Times Playing The Masters Before Winning

Winning a Green Jacket is one of the biggest achievements in golf, but we can imagine it feeling even sweeter to a golfer who has played the tournament many times — waiting many years — to get his (first) Masters Tournament victory. That's what we are looking at here: Those golfers who won The Masters but only after playing it many years.

So who holds the record for most times playing The Masters before winning? That's Sergio Garcia, who won in his 19th attempt. But every golfer on the following list is, or will be, a Hall of Fame member.

(See also: Golfers who won The Masters in their first attempt)

The List: Masters Champs With Most Attempts Before Winning

• 19 attempts, Sergio Garcia: Won the 2017 Masters on his 19th start in the tournament. Garcia first played in the 1999 Masters, tying for 38th to earn low amateur honors. His previous best finish was tied fourth in 2004, and he had Top 10 finishes in 2002 and 2013.

• 17 attempts, Rory McIlroy: Won the 2025 Masters, his 17th attempt after debuting in the tournament in 2009. McIlroy had seven prior Top 10 finishes, with a best finish of solo second in 2022. In the 2011 Masters, McIlroy took a 4-stroke lead into the final round but collapsed on the back nine. McIlroy's victory in 2025 completed the career Grand Slam.

• 15 attempts, Mark O'Meara: Won the 1998 Masters in his 15th start in this major. His first Masters was in 1980. Prior to his victory, O'Meara had just one Top 10 finish in the Masters, tied fourth in 1992.

• 14 attempts, Billy Casper: Casper debuted in the 1957 Masters and won it on his 14th try in the 1970 Masters. That was the last of Casper's three career wins in majors, and the 45th of his 51 career PGA Tour victories, so it came fairly late in his career. Prior to 1970, Casper had tied for second in the 1969 Masters, and had four other Top 10 finishes in this tournament.

• 13 attempts, Ben Crenshaw: Crenshaw won two Masters titles, first in 1984 on his 13th try. Twice before that Crenshaw had been runner-up, in 1976 and 1983. He also had three other Top 10 finishes prior to 1984. His Masters debut was in 1972, when he tied for 19th and earned low amateur honors.

• 12 attempts, Raymond Floyd: Made his tournament debut in 1965 and won in his 12th start in the 1976 Masters. Floyd won his Green Jacket wire-to-wire, tied the Masters' then-scoring record of 271, and won by eight strokes. He had two Top 10 finishes in the Masters prior to 1976.

• 12 attempts, Phil Mickelson: Mickelson eventually won three Green Jackets, but his victory in the 2004 Masters was his first on his 12th attempt. Mickelson first played The Masters in 1991. He had seven Top 10s prior to 2004, including third-place finishes in 1996, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

• 12 attempts, Adam Scott: First played in the 2002 Masters and tied for ninth, won on his 12th attempt in the 2013 Masters. Scott had two other Top 10s prior to 2013, including a tie for second in 2011.

Related articles:

• Biggest comebacks to win The Masters
• Largest 54-hole leads lost in The Masters
• Full list of tournament records in The Masters

Sources:
Augusta National Golf Club. About the Masters, Historical Records & Stats, Champions/Winning Statistics, https://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/stats/historical/champions_winning_statistics.html.