The green jacket is among the most coveted prizes in golf. While it is most visible when awarded to the winner of the Masters tournament each year, it has a much longer story and history.
The Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the world, opened in 1934. In 1937, the green jacket came to be. Presented to the members of the club, the jackets are kept on club grounds and taking them off the premises is forbidden (though a few have got out and are now owned by wealthy buyers). It was only from 1949 that the custom of awarding these green jackets to the winner of the Masters tournament that takes place at Augusta started. Since then, it has also been awarded retroactively to previous winners as well. One of the traditions at the Masters include having the tournament’s defending champion help the current champion slip into the green jacket (unless of course, the same person won the previous year as well). This is why we see Tiger Woods, who won the event in 2019. helping Dustin Johnson put on the jacket after winning this year. Multiple Masters winner, however, receive only one jacket. Winners, unlike members, can take home the jacket, but are expected to return it to the club during the next Masters.
Picture Credit : Google