Inside the Ropes: Butch Harmon Recounts Six Unforgettable Masters Sundays

Legendary swing coach Butch Harmon has walked inside the ropes at Augusta National for some of the most memorable final rounds in Masters history. Now, in his own words, he is sharing the stories that never got told until now.

Harmon, who has coached golf\u2019s biggest names including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and countless others, breaks down six wild Sundays at Augusta in a candid look at what it really takes to win a green jacket when it matters most.

1997 \u2014 When Tiger Announced Himself to Golf Harmon vividly recalls the week Tiger Woods arrived at Augusta as a professional, already owning a nine-shot lead through 36 holes. Before Tiger teed off on Sunday, Harmon put his arm around the young star and told him to go enjoy it. Tiger\u2019s response was simple but telling: \u201cI\u2019ve got this, Butchie.\u201d He proceeded to shoot a 30 on the front nine and never looked back. Harmon describes how Tiger spent Saturday night visualizing every hole in his head \u2014 driver here, aim there, knock it close \u2014 a ritual that would become his pre-Sunday routine for years. By the time Tiger walked up the 72nd hole with a 12-shot lead, Harmon says his father\u2019s words from years earlier had come true: the greatest feeling in the world is walking up the last hole knowing you cannot lose.

1999 \u2014 Jose Maria Olazabal\u2019s Walk Into History For Ollie, simply being at Augusta in 1999 was a victory in itself. Years earlier, debilitating foot pain had nearly ended his career; doctors told him he might never walk normally again. That context made his battle with Greg Norman on the final day even more remarkable. On the 13th hole, Olazabal stood over his second shot when he paused to take in the scene \u2014 azaleas in full bloom, patrons ten deep. Greg Norman then drained a 25-foot eagle putt, and the crowd erupted. But instead of panicking, Ollie thought to himself: \u201cHow great is this? I thought I might never walk again, and here I am with a chance to win the Masters.\u201d He then sank his birdie putt and went on to win by two. Harmon uses this story to teach that appreciation and competition can coexist.

2010 \u2014 Phil\u2019s Miracle Shot From the Pines Phil Mickelson\u2019s third green jacket came down to one shot \u2014 a 6-iron from the pine straw on the 13th hole that most thought was impossible. With his tee shot having drifted through the dogleg and settled behind a tree, caddie Bones Mackay urged caution. Phil overruled him. With television microphones picking up every word, Phil told Bones that sometimes you have to suck it up and hit the right shot at the right time. He ripped the iron through the trees, carried Rae\u2019s Creek, and watched the ball finish four feet from the hole. The eagle attempt barely missed, but the birdie he made coming back was enough. That shot\u2019s momentum carried him through the finish. Afterward, Phil refused to go to the green jacket ceremony without Harmon, telling him: \u201cThis is you and me. We did this.\u201d

Harmon\u2019s account reminds us that the biggest tournaments reveal the most about the people who play them.