Whether it's Jack Nicklaus defying the odds and his elderly status, or Tiger Woods announcing himself to world sport just as he embraced adulthood, the US Masters at Augusta has given golf some of its most memorable moments.
The first of those arrived via a sweetly struck 4-wood from Gene Sarazen in 1935. Trailing Ryder Cup stalwart Craig Wood by three shots as he stepped onto the fairway of the par-5 Firethorn, the New Yorker holed from 235 yards to record an albatross and force the match into a play-off.
Victory two rounds later made it a Grand Slam for the multiple Major winner – the first in the history of the game – but it is the 32-year-old's stunning strike on the 15th that will always be remembered, for ever known as the "shot heard around the world".
The Masters continued to enthrall through the 1940s and 1950s, despite a three-year absence caused by World War II, and included a mixed bag of highs and lows. Golfing greats Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan contested one of the most tense play-offs ever in 1942, the former winning by a stroke.
Hogan's misery was compounded four years later when, needing a birdie on the final green to secure his first Masters, 'The Hawk' three-putted to gift Herman Keiser the title. Hogan finally conquered Augusta in 1951; two years after a near-fatal car crash that prompted doctors to diagnose he would never walk again.
However, the legendary ball-striker displayed the steely determination that so often accompanied him on the golf course and returned to win the US Open 16 months later. He added the Masters the following year as he collected an astonishing six majors from 1950 to 1953.
In 1956, amateur Ken Venturi three-putted six times in his final round to throw away the championship at the death, while Arnold Palmer slipped his arms into the Green Jacket for the first time two years later. Palmer went on to become a legend of the season's first major, competing in a half century of Masters from 1955 to 2004. The incredible run included four victories and an 11-year stint in the tournament's top 10.
The 1960s spawned the tussle of the game's Big Three – Palmer, Nicklaus and Gary Player, who shared the coveted award until Gay Brewer broke their stranglehold in 1968. In winning the Masters in 1961, Player became the first champion from outside the United States.
The South African enjoyed the victory so much that he decided to keep the Green Jacket (winners usually return it the following year) and at the same time incurring the wrath of the Augusta National committee. Nicklaus also retained the garment in 1966, but this time without protest as he repeated his triumph from a year before.
He is one of only three back-to-back winners of the Green Jacket, a feat he shares with Nick Faldo and Woods.
While Nicklaus added two more titles in the 1970s, and Lee Elder became the first African-American to play at the event, the highlight of the decade belonged to Player. Going into the final round of the 1978 championship seven shots off the pace, the pint-sized participant dismantled the last 10 holes, securing his ninth and concluding Major in stunning style.
In 1980, Severiano Ballesteros, the Spanish sorcerer, became the first European to don the famous jacket, while eight years later Sandy Lyle conjured a wee bit of his own magic, flying a sublime 7-iron from the bunker on 18 to a few feet from the flag. In sinking the putt, the Scot became the first British player to win at Augusta.
Scott Hoch, though, will be remembered for all the wrong reasons after he earned the moniker "Hoch the Choke" in 1989, missing a two-footer at the first extra hole to clinch the title. Faldo robbed him of glory on the succeeding green.
Perhaps the most rousing Masters performance was supplied by The Golden Bear in 1986. At 46 years and 82 days old, Nicklaus arrived at the tournament having experienced one of his worst runs in the game, prompting the Atlanta Journal to claim the 17-Major winner was "all washed up".
But beware the wounded bear. The silky swinger, spurred on by a vociferous support, birdied 10, 11 and 13 on his march down the back nine, and eagled 15 before almost holing his tee shot on Redbud, the tricky 16th. Raucous cheers were carried from the gallery to Ballesteros and Greg Norman, who both contrived to drop shots as Nicklaus sealed a record sixth Masters, making him the oldest winner in the process.
The mantle of the youngest Augustan master goes to Nicklaus' closest Major rival. In Woods' first visit to the National Golf Club as a professional in 1997, the then-21-year-old set all sorts of records as he blazed to the top of the field and into the Green Jacket – establishing the biggest margin of victory and the lowest aggregate (270) in the event's illustrious history.
Tiger has since tamed the Georgian beast three times, his last success courtesy of a 30-foot chip from the deep rough at 16 in 2005. The audacious effort snaked its way across Redbud's various undulations and into the hole, laying challenge to Sarazen's supreme effort 70 years previously as one of the best ever witnessed by an Augusta audience.
So the stage is set. Someone else can now weave another monumental moment into the Masters' tapestry this week, when the 73rd edition gets under way on Thursday.
The big hitters
Tiger Woods
The world No1 (pictured) seems to be back just in time, winning his first event last week since an eight-month lay-off to reconstruct his left knee. His victory at Bay Hill was typical Tiger, and the rest of the golfing fraternity will have taken note of the four-time Masters champion's return to form.
Phil Mickelson
The second best player in the world has lived up to expectation this season, winning two of the six tournaments in the US. He has history at Augusta too, disposing of the "best player never to have won a Major" tag in 2004, when he birdied five of the last seven holes to pip Ernie Els and secure the Green Jacket at the 47th attempt. The big left-hander added another Masters in 2006.
Sergio Garcia
While the skillful Spaniard is seen as one of the best players in the game, he has yet to add the Major to complete his CV. Close at the Open in 2007 and the PGA Championship in 1999 and 2008, the 29-year-old has started the season well, sitting fifth in the Race to Dubai after one win and two top 10 finishes. However, he will need to improve on his previous best at Augusta: Tied fourth in 2004.
Padraig Harrington
If the Irishman doesn't win this week, he will probably quietly celebrate anyway as talk of the crassly-named 'Paddy Slam' (that dominates every press conference he attends) will finally be put to bed. The reigning Open and PGA Championship holder finished tied-fifth last year, but has admitted he is struggling for form going into the season's first Major.
Ernie Els
Having finished second twice at Augusta, 'The Big Easy' knows his way around the National Golf Course and has the temperament to deal with the pressure should he feature at the top of the leaderboard going into Sunday. He already has three Majors in a glittering career, but hasn't added to that tally in the past seven years. Watch out for the South African this week.
The contenders
Geoff Ogilvy
The world No4 should shine this week, having risen up the ranks thanks to a superb start to 2009. Currently perched at the top of both the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai standings, he (pictured) has won twice this year with two further top 10s. However, a previous best of tied-16th at Augusta needs to be bettered.
Paul Casey
The Englishman ended a year-long drought by winning in Abu Dhabi in January, and has continued to sparkle with three top 10s, including second place at the WCA-Accenture Match Play last month. One off the top in the Race to Dubai rankings, the 31-year-old has fared better at Augusta than in any of the other Majors, finishing tied-sixth in 2004.
Trevor Immelman
Defending the Masters title is never easy – only three have managed the feat – but the talented South African will be buoyed by memories of his greatest triumph 12 months ago. His brave wire-to-wire victory could inspire him again this year, but the reigning champion will need to shrug off a disappointing start to his 2009 season.
Nick Watney
The Californian has enjoyed a great 2009, winning the Buick Invitational in February and finishing second at the WGC-CA Championship last month. A tied-fourth finish in Bay Hill last week displays the 27-year-old's fine form and an impressive tied-11th place on his Masters debut last year proves he likes Augusta. He could surprise a few this week.
Zach Johnson
Having donned the Green Jacket two years ago, the devout Christian returns to the scene of his triumph with a fruitful start to this season behind him. He has played eight tournaments thus far, registering a win at the Sony Open in Hawaii and a third place at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational. His victory at Augusta in 2007 was the joint-highest winning score (1-over par).
The new boys
Anthony Kim
The American (pictured) has been widely tipped as a future Major winner after a stunning 2008, where he won two tournaments and recorded eight top 10 finishes to end the year fourth in the FedEx Cup rankings. The 23-year-old has earned $7 million (Dh25.7m) since turning pro three years ago and will definitely be one to watch as he makes his Masters bow this week.
Rory McIlroy
After enjoying a remarkable end to 2008, the Holywood star saw his reputation soar even further by sealing his first professional win at this year's Dubai Desert Classic. He became the youngest victor on the European Tour (at 19) since Sergio Garcia a decade before. Currently third in the Race to Dubai, he played in America for the first time last month and wowed galleries with his aggressive approach.
Oliver Wilson
The 28-year-old makes his Masters debut this week and comes into the tournament high on confidence having achieved three top 10 finishes in 2009 and sitting fourth in the Race to Dubai. He will look to build on a superb 2008 – four runner-up spots secured his place on the Ryder Cup team – as he bids to get that elusive maiden Tour victory. What better way to start than in Augusta this week?
Ryo Ishikawa
The Japanese sensation, known as 'The Bashful Prince', caused a stir in his homeland by winning the Munsingwear Open Cup – an event on the Japanese Tour – at 15. The shy 17-year-old will be the source of much attention at Augusta this week, as one of the official International Invitees and an already firm favourite back home.
Danny Lee
The naturalised New Zealander created history in February when he became the youngest winner on the European Tour at the age of 18. His victory at the Johnny Walker Classic in Perth, Australia announced his arrival on the international stage and he plans to turn professional after his first appearance at the Masters this week. He is one of five amateurs to compete at this year's event and has the game to be a Major success.