There’s only one thing that’s worse than missing a cut at the Masters. Coming close to earning the Green Jacket, hold it for a moment before it falls from your grip. Ben Hogan. Greg Norman. Rory McIlroy. Jordan Spieth. Generational talents and legends of the game have had to bite the dust at Augusta National. 

Indeed, Greg Norman is remembered as much for his record-breaking dominance than his Major losses, topped by his collapse in the 1996 Masters. As the 88th edition of the Masters draws closer, here are the top four final-round choke moments of all time. 

Greg Norman’s first Masters loss

The last of Jack Nicklaus‘s Masters’ triumph and the first of Greg Norman’s final round disaster. In 1986, Golden Bear mounted a late charge going 4-under in the final four holes. The Australian, too, was spectacular till the very end. Ironically, Norman also had the 54-hole lead. Great White Shark birdied the 17th after a majestic hook from the line of trees. Norman needed a 15-foot par putt for a playoff. He missed. 

Ben Hogan comes short of catching his childhood friend

Ben Hogan waited for almost a decade to earn his first green jacket. In 1942, the nine-time Major winner first went into contention. An 18-hole playoff with Byron Nelson, his long-time friend, with whom he caddied at the Glen Garden Country Club. Nelson, battling with a stomach pain the night before, played one of his most spectacular golf. 

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At the final hole, Nelson had a one-shot lead over his friend, and with a birdie sealed the victory as Hogan made par. He returned two years later only to be stopped yet again.

Rory McIlroy claimed his first Green Jacket in 2011. Almost.

Rory McIlroy was leading by four shots on Sunday. After the final round, the Northern Irishman was T15. Unbelievable as it may sound, but young McIlroy’s anxiousness was evident from the first hole. To top that, he had company on the top before turning. Charles Schwartzel was on the hunt, and McIlroy had a triple-bogey seven on the par 4, 10. 

That was the start of the horror show for the Ulsterman. He eventually finished ten shots off the lead.

Norman baffles the world at the 1996 Masters

Greg Norman looked unstoppable heading to the final round of the 1996 Masters. A six-shot lead is as good as taking home the title. By that time, he already had two close calls. He had six 54-hole leads before that but only won once. 

And, again, Norman shot 78 in the final round, to Faldo’s 67. Even the Brit was astonished. Lost for words, he hugged the former world no.1. “As Norman headed to Amen Corner, and the most famous stretch of holes in golf, you wanted to throw him a rope, a lifeline. Here, Greg, grab hold,” wrote David Casstevens in the Arizona Republic.

No one wants to be remembered for coming second. While Hogan completed his Masters quest in 1952, Norman failed to slip his broad shoulders into the green jacket. Rory McIlroy will try his luck for the 16th time at the 2024 Masters. 

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