The Masters is an official money event on the PGA Tour, the PGA European Tour and the Japan Golf Tour. In line with the other majors, winning the Masters gives a golfer several privileges which make his career more secure. Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the U.S. Open, the Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship)
Before 1983, all players were required to use the services of an Augusta National Club caddie. Since then, players have been allowed the option of bringing their own caddie. However, the Masters maintains the standardizing of a full caddie uniform. The complete uniform consists of a white jumpsuit, a green Masters cap, and white tennis shoes. The surname, and sometimes first initial, of each player is found on the back of his caddie's uniform. While the caddie uniform is original to the Masters Tournament, it has also been instituted into the Memorial Golf Tournament. The defending champion always receives caddie number "1": other golfers get their caddie numbers in the order in which they arrive at Augusta National and register for the tournament.
Because the tournament was fathered by the great amateur golfer Bobby Jones, the Masters has a strong tradition of honoring amateur golf. Firstly, the Masters invites winners of the most prestigious amateur tournaments in the world (see Field above). Also, the defending Masters champion is always paired with the current U.S. Amateur champion for the first two days of the tournament. In 1952, the Masters began presenting the low amateur award. This award is known as the Silver Cup and is presented to the lowest scoring amateur to make the cut. In 1954, the Masters began presenting an amateur Silver Medal to the low amateur runner-up. Augusta National Golf Club also awards a crystal bowl trophy to the winner of the par-3 contest (held before the start of the tournament) and a set of crystal goblets to anyone who makes an Eagle or better during the actual tournament.
In addition to the green jacket , winners of the tournament receive a Gold Medal and have their names engraved on the silver Masters Trophy. This trophy, which depicts the clubhouse, was introduced in 1961, and remains at Augusta National. Starting in 1993, a sterling replica of the Masters Trophy has been presented to the champion. The runner-up receives a Silver Medal, introduced in 1951. Beginning in 1978, a Silver Salver was added as an award for the runner-up.
The Masters Tournament is now online at www.themasters-
