The US Masters Golf Tournament

The US Masters Golf Tournament, scheduled as it is in April, is the first of the four major championships for professional golfers

It is played at the same location each year in Augusta, Georgia in the United States.

• The Masters is an invitation only event with entry controlled by the Augusta National Golf Club. As a result the number of players taking part is smaller than in the other major championships.

• The Masters was established in 1934 by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones who also helped design the Augusta course along side course architect Alister MacKenzie. Each year the tournament organizers may adjust with the length of the course as well as the placement of some bunkers in order to uphold the original design philosophy.

• Competitors begin by playing in groups of three for 36 holes over two days. After this players are eliminated, or fail to 'make the cut' to reduce the field.

• As well as a substantial cash prize the winner is also given a coveted 'green jacket' which is the same as the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds and each winner becomes an honorary member of the club.

• US Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three major championships, the US Open, The British Open and the PGA Championship for the next five years and a lifetime invitation to take part in the Masters.

• The Masters has a tradition of honouring amateur golf and invites winners of the most prestigious amateur tournaments around the world to take part.

• Jack Nicklaus has won more Masters Tournaments than any other golfer, winning six times between 1963 and 1986. Other multiple winners include Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.

This prestigious event is one of the pinnacles of golf and a must-see spectacle for sports fans all over the world.