Augusta Chronicle, The

1966 ; 68-76-72-72-288

By 1966, Jack Nicklaus had become accustomed to setting Masters records. In a three-year span, he had established marks for margin of victory and the 72-hole scoring record. Plus, he had equaled the lowest round at Augusta National and was the tournament's youngest champion.

1986 ; 74-71-69-65-279

Jack Nicklaus won the Masters when he was fat. He won it skinny. He won it with a crew cut and with a stylish look. He won it against Palmer and Player and Weiskopf and Miller.

1975 ; 68-67-73-68-276

Jack Nicklaus was at the height of his considerable powers in 1975. He was No. 1 in major championship wins, not to mention the top player and most respected competitor in the game.

1972 ; 68-71-73-74-286

If the early- to mid-1960s was the Golden Age for Masters winners, then the period from 1967-71 might be described as the "Who's that?" era. Gay Brewer Jr., Bob Goalby, George Archer and Charles Coody - all one-time major winners for their careers - got their 15 minutes of fame during the stretch by winning at Augusta National.

Bear Necessity

The shots, after all these years, are still worth remembering. There's the 1-iron off the flagstick at Pebble Beach, the "Yes Sir!" birdie putt at Augusta National, and the drive through the Valley of Sin at St. Andrews.

On the Page

The Lost Masters: Grace and Disgrace in '68 AUTHOR: Curt Sampson

Augusta Brings Rebirth in the World of Golf

Editors note: CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz will handle his 20th consecutive Masters Tournament this week. In honor of the 50th Masters telecast on CBS, Nantz will offer stories and insights in daily conversations with Augusta Chronicle writer Scott Michaux: Today was my first day of spring, if there's a theme. Spring coupled with Augusta is a powerful combination.

Hole of the Day

NO. 15: FIRETHORN PLAYERS' VIEW

Item 3: Art ; Prints of Augusta National's Famed Course Find Their Way Over Many a Fan's - and Golfer's - Mantel.

Linda Hartough's challenge is the same every year: Take the vivid aesthetics of white dogwoods and pink azaleas and reproduce the landscape on canvas. For Augusta National Golf Club's most renowned artist, painting one hole can take three to six months. She feels it's well worth it.

Woods Sees His Best On Horizon

Tiger Woods doesn't want to play like he did in 2000. He wants to play better - a scary thought considering his nine wins, including three majors, from that season.

Funk Sells Himself Short

Fred Funk won The Players Championship two weeks ago by hitting more fairways and more greens than anyone else in the field. Could he win the Masters Tournament with a similar performance?

Red-Hot Singh Keeps a Cool Head About World Rankings

Few players enter the 2005 Masters Tournament as hot as Vijay Singh. The 2000 Masters winner has five top-five finishes this year - including top-three finishes in three of his past four tournaments to go with his January victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Rankings

World Golf Ranking 1. Vijay Singh Fij 12.20

Thursday's Tee Times

8:05 a.m. - Jonathan Kaye, David Howell, Ted Purdy 8:16 a.m. - Ian Woosnam, Kirk Triplett, Jeff Maggert

Maturity Could Be Edge Garcia Needs Most

Sergio Garcia can't recall Nick Faldo's back-to-back Masters Tourna-ment titles in 1989 and 1990. Or Fred Couples' victory at Augusta National Golf Club in 1992.

Expectations Reach Stratospheric Heights

Even before his winning shot at the 2004 Masters Tournament went around the rim and in, Phil Mickelson had gotten a better understanding of what it's like to be a basketball player. It's something he had always wondered about.

Golfer Battling Cancer Will Get Hogan Award

Former long-time Masters Tournament participant Hubert Green plans to visit Augusta National Golf Club today before accepting an award tonight in Martinez for his comeback from cancer. Don't expect the 59-year-old Champions Tour golfer to walk down to the 18th green and think about what might have been, though.

In the Field

BILLY CASPER is back in the field for the Masters Tournament for the first time since 2001. Casper, the 1970 Masters winner, received a letter from Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Chairman Hootie Johnson before the 2002 event, asking him to not compete. Former champions Gay Brewer Jr. and Doug Ford received similar letters, which were prompted by the trio's habit of withdrawing from the tournament after nine or 18 holes.

Par-3 Guide

PAIRINGS 1 p.m.-Phil Mickelson, Chris DiMarco, Tom Lehman.

The Big 5 ; Are They the Brightest Stars Ever?

If a major championship preview could be reduced to a David Letterman list, here are the top five reasons to watch this year's Masters Tournament. No. 5: Retief Goosen.