Filling in the blank to “the coolest thing about the Masters is” qualifies as an all-time softball question but here’s the thing: it made pros past and present who have played in the first major of the year stop and think and consider the world of possibilities. That’s pretty cool.
It’s such an open-ended question that it allowed players to go in a variety of directions and so the answers run the gamut. Steve Stricker said that now that he’s not been in the field the last few years he fully appreciates how great a week it is just to be a contestant, but best answer of this bunch has got to be Matt Kuchar, who summed it up pretty well when he said, “There’s nothing like making that turn on to Magnolia Lane. I get goose bumps every time. That turn down Magnolia Lane is like coming down the stairs as a kid at Christmas. You just know something awesome is around the corner.”
So are the rest of these answers below.
Billy Horschel with his daughter Skylar and wife Brittany at the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 2016 Masters. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
Coming back to the same spot every year. That and the Par-3 Contest, especially after you have kids, may be the best part about going back every year. It’s pretty special.
The Bobby Jones sun dial at Augusta National Club Club for the 2007 Masters. (Photo: Jeff Haynes/AFP via Getty Images)
You’re walking down the same fairways where Bobby Jones was trying to figure it out. It’s a historical place and just to be a part of that for me is so cool.
Cameron Young on the 13th green during a practice round prior to the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Having a chance to win it.
Patrons watch the action on the course during the Par 3 Contest at The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Network
The enthusiasm by the galleries and the fact that the tournament is played at the same venue every year. Augusta National knows how to make it better and better.
Magnolia Lane’s 60 magnolia trees and the clubhouse lead members to the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
I can’t pick one: Either the walk up 18, standing alone back on the 13th tee or the drive down Magnolia Lane.
A view down Magnolia Lane at Augusta National Golf Club on Nov. 11, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
There’s nothing like making that turn on to Magnolia Lane. I get goose bumps every time. That turn down Magnolia Lane is like coming down the stairs as a kid at Christmas. You just know something awesome is around the corner.
Patrons wear t-shirts during the third round. Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Lucas Glover tees off on the fourth hole during the second round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Katie Goodale-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports)
Being in the field. It doesn’t get better than that.
A patron holds a pimento cheese sandwich along with a beverage at the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
The dollar sandwiches, or however much it is.
Tony Finau hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the 2019 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Gary Woodland on the 13th green during the third round of the 2014 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
The tradition. Just the history of the place. You feel it driving down Magnolia Lane. There’s just nothing else like it.
Magnolia Lane’s 60 magnolia trees and the clubhouse are seen at Augusta National Golf Club before the 2012 Masters in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Driving down Magnolia Lane. There’s no better entrance to a golf course.
Jason Day stands under the leaderboard on the 17th green during the second round of the 2019 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Keegan Bradley (right) reacts after son Logan James made a putt as Seamus Powers looks on during the Par 3 Contest at The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network)
The par-3 tournament with my family and getting to see my kids in the white jumpsuit.
Kevin Kisner works out on the range during a practice round ahead of the 2023 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
The small field makes it so special.
Matthew Fitzpatrick and his caddie at the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
A large crowd gathers around the 18th green to watch Nick Price, Bob Tway and David Duval finish the first round of the 1999 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
The entire atmosphere is fantastic but if you had to single one thing out I’d say the way it is manicured to the nth degree. You never see another golf course like it.
Padraig Harrington poses alongside his son Patrick and caddie Ronan Flood during the Par 3 Contest ahead of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
I should say the Par 3 Contest because I’ve won it twice. It’s not the history but the lore of it, the tradition of it. Every time you go to the Masters you relive every Masters that’s gone before.
K.J. Choi, Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker walk with their caddies during Friday’s second round of the 2014 Masters at Augusta National.
Just being in the field. When you’re not there, you wish you were there just to experience the whole week.
Will Zalatoris and caddie Ryan Goble look on from the second green during the third round of the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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