Only 3 Golfers Have Won The Masters Back-to-Back

Only 3 Golfers Have Won The Masters Back-to-Back...

The Masters Tournament is one of golf's most prestigious events, and winning it consecutively is a rare feat. With the 2026 Masters underway this week, fans are searching for historical context on back-to-back champions. Only three golfers have ever achieved this in the tournament's 90-year history.

Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990), and Tiger Woods (2001-2002) are the sole players to win the Masters in consecutive years. Woods came closest to a three-peat, finishing tied for 15th in 2003 after his back-to-back victories.

The topic is trending now as defending champion Scottie Scheffler attempts to join this elite group. Scheffler, who won the 2025 Masters, opened strong with a 68 in Thursday's first round. Golf analysts note the increasing difficulty of repeating at Augusta National due to deeper competition.

Augusta National's challenging course setup changes annually, making consistency particularly tough. The last attempt at back-to-back wins came in 2016 when Jordan Spieth followed his 2015 victory with a tied-second finish.

Sports historians emphasize how rare the achievement is across all majors. Only seven golfers have won any major championship consecutively since 1960. The Masters' specific challenges - from its undulating greens to the pressure of the Sunday back nine - make repeat victories especially notable.

Current leaderboard updates show Scheffler remains in contention after Friday's round, keeping the back-to-back possibility alive. Golf Channel reported a 37% increase in related searches as casual fans learn about the historical significance.

Tiger Woods, competing this year at age 50, was the last to accomplish the feat 24 years ago. His 2001 victory completed the "Tiger Slam" - holding all four major titles simultaneously across two seasons. This context adds to the current tournament's storyline as Scheffler chases history.

Viewership numbers for Saturday's coverage are expected to spike if Scheffler remains near the top. CBS Sports plans special features on the three back-to-back champions during their broadcast. The golf world watches to see if 2026 will produce a fourth name for this exclusive list.