Once Seve had opened the door to European success at Augusta in 1980, the continent enjoyed a steady stream of victories over the ensuing 13 years, with all other members of Europe's 'big five' of the 1980s and early 1990s (Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, lan Woosnam and Bernhard Langer) getting in on the Green Jacket action.
As the 1990s progressed, another young Spaniard, with Seve as mentor and friend, sparked talk of the 'big five' now being a 'big six'. Jose Maria Olazabal already had ten European Tour titles to his name when he teed it up at Augusta in April 1991. Four days later, only a final-hole bogey stood between him and Woosnam's winning score - an agonising near miss that merely served to strengthen his belief that he, too, could join them.
Three years later, he did just that, before a career-threatening medical condition derailed him just as he was hitting his prime. All of which made his second victory in 1999 such a memorable and emotional one. Augusta National clearly holds a very special place in his heart, and here, in his own words, the two-time champion shares some of his behind-the-scenes thoughts and memories about the course and the tournament...
Unrivalled beauty
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Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de Golf Monthly.
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Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?
The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue? Why would anyone even suggest such a drastic course of action? It may sound harsh, but since the inaugural event in 1994, the International team has managed just one victory and one tie while the American team has won 12 times, including nine straight from 2005. It is 26 years since the International team's solitary success in 1998 at Royal Melbourne under the captaincy of the late Peter Thomson.
Surprise packages
Jeremy Ellwood looks back on some of the more unusual golfing countries he has visited during his 20+ years writing for Golf Monthly
TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
The key to good iron play is finding the right low point in your swing. Here's how to do it...
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event
A LEGEND
Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
The Solheim Cup seems to grow in significance and excitement with every staging, and this year's encounter in Virginia promises to be no exception...
STOKE PARK
I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...
TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club
Adding to an extremely strong 2024 product line-up, TaylorMade has launched its latest irons in the successful P-Series - the P7CB and the P770.
