The Masters Tournament is the first major championship of the year in men’s professional golf, held annually in the first week of April at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Established in 1934, it is the only major played at the same course every year. The Masters is an invitational event with a limited field, featuring past champions, top-ranked players, and winners of top amateur and professional tournaments.
The Masters Tournament is renowned for its rich traditions and one of the most famous customs is the Champions Dinner, initiated by Ben Hogan in 1952, where past winners gather each year to honor the reigning champion, who selects the menu for the evening. For the 2025 dinner, Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, has chosen a Texas-inspired menu, as per Reuters.
Golfer with most Masters Tournament appearances
Gary Player has the most Masters appearances - 52. These were made between 1957 and 2009 with a total of 164 rounds. Arnold Palmer follows with 50 appearances and 150 rounds, while Jack Nicklaus comes in third with 45 appearances and 163 rounds, according to Golf Monthly.
Player has won the Masters Tournament three times in 1961, 1974, and 1978, making 52 appearances. He also held the record for the most straight cuts made at the Masters Tournament, with 23. But this record was broken by Tiger Woods in April 2024, when he made his 24th consecutive cut. Also, Nicklaus owns the record for the most Masters cuts made with 37, as per the European Tour.
Gary Player is also the oldest living Masters Tournament champion, after the passing of Jack Burke Jr. in January 2024. He won the event in 1956. Player is 89 years old as of March 2025 and was born on November 1, 1935.
Following is the table for most Masters Tournament appearances and rounds, as per Golf Monthly:
| Golfer | Country | Masters Appearances | Masters Rounds Played | Masters Wins | Winning Years |
| Gary Player | South Africa | 52 | 164 | 3 | 1961, 1974, 1978 |
| Jack Nicklaus | USA | 45 | 163 | 6 | 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986 |
| Arnold Palmer | USA | 50 | 150 | 4 | 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964 |
| Bernhard Langer | Germany | 32 | 110 | 2 | 1985, 1993 |
| Sandy Lyle | Scotland | 34 | 102 | 1 | 1988 |
| Seve Ballesteros | Spain | 29 | 92 | 2 | 1980, 1983 |
| José María Olazábal | Spain | 27 | 90 | 2 | 1994, 1999 |
| Ian Woosnam | Wales | 28 | 80 | 1 | 1991 |
| Nick Faldo | England | 23 | 76 | 3 | 1989, 1990, 1996 |
| Gene Littler | USA | 26 | 100 | 0 | — |
Most Masters Tournament played consecutively
Arnold Palmer has the record for the most consecutive starts in the Masters event. He participated in every Masters Tournament from his debut in 1955 until his retirement in 2004. That is 50 years in a row without missing one.
Also read: Who is the oldest living Masters champion?
FAQs on Who has played at the Masters the most?
A. Gary Player holds the record with 52 appearances at the Masters Tournament as of March 2025.
A. Jack Nicklaus has won the most Masters Tournaments, with six in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986.
A. Tiger Woods is the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament in 1997, at the age of 21 years, three months and 14 days.
A. Jack Nicklaus was the oldest Masters Tournament winner in 1986, winning at the age of 46 years two months and 23 days.
A. Yes, the Masters Tournament has been defended by three golfers: Jack Nicklaus in 1995 and 1996, Nick Faldo in 1989 and 1990, and Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002.
