golf masters

The Masters Tournament, also known as The Masters or The U.S. Masters (outside of the United States), is one of four major championships in men's professional golf. The Masters is an "official money event" on the PGA Tour, the PGA European Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.
The Masters, scheduled for the first full week of April, is the first of the majors to be played each year. Unlike the other major championships, the Masters is held every year at the same location, Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club in the city of Augusta, Georgia, USA.
The Masters was started by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones,[1] who designed Augusta National with course architect Alister MacKenzie.
The 2008 champion is Trevor Immelman, who won a prize of US$1.35 million.
In accordance with typical golf tournament formatting, the Masters Tournament is a 72-hole tournament held over four days. It is held under the rules of golf, as defined by the United States Golf Association and is also subject to special rulings and regulations set by the Masters Tournament Committee.[citation needed] The Masters is usually the first major championship of the year, played so that the final round is always on the second Sunday of April.
Because the Masters has a relatively smaller field compared to other golf tournaments, groups are set to a size of three players for the first 36 holes (typically Thursday and Friday). After 36 holes have been played by all players, a cut is made. Players who 'make the cut' are in one or both of the following two categories: (1) Lowest 44 scores plus ties, or (2) Within 10 strokes of the lowest 36-hole score (set by the leader). From 1957 to 1960, it was the low 40 plus ties and those within 10 strokes of the leader. Before 1957, there was no 36-hole cut.[In addition to a cash award, the winner of the tournament is presented with a distinctive green jacket, awarded since 1949. The green sport coat is actually the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds; each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club. Winners keep their jacket for the first year after their first victory, then return it to the club to wear whenever they visit. The tradition began in 1949, when Sam Snead won his first of three Masters titles. The green jacket is only allowed to be removed from Augusta National by the reigning champion, after which it must remain at the club. (The only exception to this rule is Gary Player, who refused to return his jacket after his 1961 victory, although he arguably followed the spirit of the rule, as he has stated that he has never worn the jacket.)
By tradition, the winner of the previous year's Masters Tournament puts the jacket on the current winner at the end of the tournament. In 1966, Jack Nicklaus became the first player to win in consecutive years and he donned the jacket himself. When Nick Faldo (in 1990) and Tiger Woods (in 2002) repeated as champions, the chairman of Augusta National put the jacket on them.
There are several awards presented to players who perform exceptional feats during the tournament:
Daily Low Score: Crystal Vase
Hole-in-One: Large Crystal Bowl
Double Eagle: Large Crystal Bowl
Eagle: Pair of Crystal Goblets
Par 3 winner: Crystal Bowl
In addition to the green jacket, winners of the tournament receive a Gold Medal and have their names engraved on the silver Masters Trophy. This trophy, which depicts the clubhouse, was introduced in 1961, and remains at Augusta National. Starting in 1993, a sterling replica of the Masters Trophy has been presented to the champion.
The runner-up receives a Silver Medal, introduced in 1951. Beginning in 1978, a Silver Salver was added as an award for the runner-up.
In 1952, the Masters began presenting the low amateur award. This award is known as the Silver Cup and is presented to the lowest scoring amateur to make the cut. In 1954, the Masters began presenting an amateur Silver Medal to the low amateur runner-up.