On March 22, 1934, the first-ever Masters Tournament was played at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Known until 1939 as the “Augusta National Invitational Tournament,” it was the brainchild of golf legend Bobby Jones and meant to be a showcase for the world's best golfers. Initially Jones had lobbied for Augusta National to host a U.S. Open but the USGA told Jones they believed the hot, humid Georgia summers would make playing conditions unbearable. Instead he created a tournament of his own, which became to be known as the first ever Masters Tournament.
Many of the first participants were close associates of Jones, but several notable players of the era participated, including Walter Hagen, Henry Picard, and Jones himself. However, none of those notable players won. Hagen and Jones finished 13th and Picard in 23rd. It was Horton Smith who won the inaugural event after finishing 4 under par, besting Craig Wood by one shot. Smith would collect a first-place prize of $1,500, which ended up being his first of two Masters Tournament wins.
Despite the impressive field, the first Augusta was not an instant success. In fact, it was not until a few years later that the tournament really took off. But even in its early years, the tournament was a showcase for some of the best golfers in the world, and it quickly became one of the most prestigious events in golf.
Today, the Masters Tournament is one of the most important events in sports, and it is watched by millions of people around the world. The tournament has seen some of the greatest players in golf history, from Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. But it all started with the first tournament in 1934, and the legacy of that event still lives on today.