The Biggest Margins of Victory at The Masters

• Final Score: 270
• Year: 1997
• Runner-up: Tom Kite

The largest margin of victory at the Masters golf tournament was in 1997, when Tiger Woods won by 12 strokes. He shot a record-breaking score of 18-under-par, which still stands as the tournament record. Woods was only 21 years old at the time, and his dominant performance signaled the beginning of a new era in golf. He went on to win three more Masters titles in 2001, 2002, and 2005, cementing his status as one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Woods performance was so dominant it actually stands as the second largest margin of victory in any major championship, trailing Old Tom Morris 13-shot win at the 1862 Open Championship (Yes, 1862). There are a number of insane records and statistics that Tiger Woods holds, but claiming the largest victory in Masters history just shows how dominant he's been since entering the tour as a rookie.

• Final Score: 271
• Year: 1965
• Runner-up: Arnold Palmer and Gary Player

Jack Nicklaus won the Masters tournament a record six times, and his largest margin of victory was by nine strokes, which he achieved in 1965. Nicklaus shot a score of 271, 17-under-par, to win his second Masters title. His nine-stroke victory was a record at the time before Tiger Woods would claim the record in 1997.

Over the course of his career, Nicklaus won a total of 18 major championships, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Nicklaus's 18 major championships ranks first among all golfers and three above second place Tiger Woods. Woods is still actively golfing and is in pursuit of Nicklaus but it remains, no one has won more than Jack.

• Final Score: 271
• Year: 1976
• Runner-up: Ben Crenshaw

Raymond Floyd won the Masters tournament in 1976, which was his first major championship victory. He finished with a score of 271, tying the then-tournament record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1965. Floyd held a one-stroke lead over Tom Watson going into the final round, but he pulled away with a final round 70, while Watson shot a 74. Floyd's 271 total gave him an eight-stroke victory over runner-up Ben Crenshaw.

Raymond Floyd had such a dominant 1976 masters he was the individual leader after every day of playing. Floyd went on to win three more major championships during his career, including the U.S. Open in 1986. The 1976 Masters was Floyds one and only victory at Augusta.

• Final Score: 279
• Year: 1955
• Runner-up: Ben Hogan

Cary Middlecoff won the Masters tournament in 1955, which was his second major championship victory. He finished with a score of 279, 9-under-par, which was seven strokes ahead of runners-up Ben Hogan.

Middlecoff shot a final round 70 to secure the victory, after starting the day in a three-way tie for the lead with Hogan and Jack Burke Jr. Middlecoff's win was notable because he was a practicing dentist at the time, and his victory helped to popularize golf among the general public.

Middlecoff went on to win a total of three major championships during his career, including the U.S. Open in 1949 and the PGA Championship in 1949 and 1956. More importantly, Middlecoff will be remembered for growing the game of golf and making it more accessible to the public.