Anyone who wins the Masters is allowed to keep the famous green jacket for 12 months, until the next event is played.
After that, the jackets are kept in Augusta in their very own special-purpose cloakroom.
This tradition, like everything else, was interrupted in 2020 when the 2020 Masters was postponed until November due to the coronavirus outbreak. This means that last year’s winner, Dustin Johnson, will have only had his jacket for 6 months before he has to hand it back in to Augusta National.
2020 aside for a moment, let’s take a look back at the story behind the green jacket in honour of the 12-month tradition.
It was never meant to be part of the award ceremony…
The iconic Masters green jacket was not always given to those who win the tournament in the way it is today. In fact, it was first introduced in 1937 as a uniform for members of the club to wear so that they could be recognised by visitors.
The first time it was presented to the winner at the award ceremony was in 1949, to Sam Snead.
Snead, who that year didn’t get off to the best start in the first two rounds after posting a 73 and 75 in the first rounds, won by three strokes after posting two consecutive rounds of 67 at the weekend.
Not to be left out of the fun, the jacket was also awarded retrospectively to the previous 12 winners up until then.
Since then, the previous year’s winner presents that year’s winner with the jacket.
Gary Player was famously the only Masters winner who didn’t bring back his jacket the next year after winning his first Masters title in 1961. At the time, he claimed to have accidentally left it at home in South Africa.
Green jackets for sale, anyone?
Short of winning the Masters itself, the only way you can get your hands on a green jacket of your own is if you have a few hundred thousand dollars to spare.
Horton Smith, the winner of the very first Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934, had his jacket sold at auction for $682,229 in 2013. It’s said that no other piece of golf memorabilia has ever sold for such a high price.
Pantone 342 is the official colour of the jacket. However, due to various changes in manufacturers over the years, the tone can differ slightly from year to year.
It’s just over 2 weeks until we find out who Dustin Johnson will present the next green jacket to.
This article is part of our Countdown to The Masters series. Join us every day between now and April 7 for fun facts and interesting stories about golf and The Masters tournament.