The Masters Tournament is the first men’s Major championship of the season and held annually at the majestic Augusta National Golf Club, where the meticulously designed course rewards precision. It is the only one of the four elite men’s events to be contested by an invitation-only field and played on the same course each year. At this revered event, accuracy is everything, making Rolex the perfect partner.

Success at the Masters is widely regarded as one of the game’s crowning achievements and requires more than just skill. Staged this year from 11–14 April, it demands the continuous pursuit of perfection and the world’s leading golfers will compete for the coveted Green Jacket.

Rolex’s support for golf dates back to 1967 and this year, the Swiss watchmaker commemorates 25 years of unwavering partnership with this prestigious event. The Masters, whose rich history, uncompromising standards and respect for tradition mirror the brand’s own commitment to perpetual excellence in all its endeavours.

 Arnold Palmer

The Masters Tournament is not just a competition but a celebration of golf’s heritage and has been the scene of some of the most memorable moments in the game of golf. The long list of Rolex Testimonees to have won the prestigious Tournament includes Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – The Big Three, as they were known for their pivotal roles in popularizing and commercializing the sport in the 1960s – who claimed a combined 13 Masters titles between 1958 and 1986, along with five-time champion Tiger Woods (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019) and the three most recent winners, Jon Rahm (2023), Scottie Scheffler (2022) and Hideki Matsuyama (2021).

Commenting on the significance of the Masters, Jack Nicklaus said: “I didn’t think about winning the Masters as part of the slam. You want to win the Masters because of what it means to the game. The thought that goes into creating such a Tournament is unbelievable. The Green Jacket is a symbol of tradition and prestige, and, for that reason, I love it. Every year that I attend, I am always blown away by the magnificence of it. It has and will never change. The Masters isn’t just another tournament. It is something really special and I get as much excitement driving down Magnolia Lane now as I did 40 years ago.”

2024 marks the 88th edition of the Tournament and several notable anniversaries for members of the Rolex family. It is five years since Tiger Woods won his fifth Masters title (2019), 30 years since fellow Testimonee José María Olazábal claimed the first of his two victories (1994), and 60 years since Palmer triumphed for the fourth and final time at Augusta National (1964). Jon Rahm also returns to defend his title, having triumphed at last year’s edition. With that victory, the Spaniard claimed the Green Jacket for the first time and his second Major crown.

Jon Rahm

Commenting on the emotions of winning last year’s Tournament, Jon Rahm said: “Winning the Masters was a lifelong dream and an extremely significant moment for me personally. I still cannot pinpoint why but there are deep roots with Augusta National and Spanish golf. Finishing on Easter Sunday and it being Seve Ballesteros’ birthday and the 40-year anniversary since his second win was emotional. I cannot explain why the win meant so much but the Masters is completely different to any other tournament. It is really hard to put it into words and to describe it properly.”

Speaking ahead of this year’s Tournament, Rolex Testimonee and 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler said: “Anytime that you tee up at Augusta National is special and I am excited to just go out there again and compete. Returning as a past champion gives you a bit more confidence going into the Tournament knowing that you have what it takes to be able to get it done there. As you are preparing for the Tournament, you have that winning experience and know what the golf course plays like, so it naturally gives you a bit more confidence.”

Synonymous with prestige and history, the Masters is known for its pristine course conditions, including the azalea-lined fairways and manicured greens. Reflecting on this, 2013 champion and Rolex Testimonee for over two decades, Adam Scott said: “When you think about the Masters, you think about springtime, flowers in bloom, blue skies and birds chirping. The Masters has its own special traditions and ways about it that, certainly in Australia, means it transcends the game. To have the accomplishment of being the first Australian to win the Masters has certainly been a big thing in my life. The Masters has produced so many amazing moments in the game of golf. Jack Nicklaus winning in 1986 is a big one. Tiger Woods winning his first Masters title in 1997 was incredible. I don’t know whether it changed the direction of the sport but it certainly accelerated the direction of the sport. Tiger’s chip on the 16th hole in 2005 was also one of the greatest shots ever.”

The Masters also greatly contributes to the development of golf through its support for amateur events. These include the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, inaugurated in 2019 and featuring the world’s leading amateur women players; the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship; and the Latin America Amateur Championship. This enduring support for the game of golf naturally aligns with Rolex’s core values. The connection that has existed between the brand and sport for almost 60 years is rooted in the very essence of the game with qualities of elegance, respect and humility being championed by both. The shared appreciation for tradition and precision has seen the bond between Rolex and golf continue to evolve over the years through the Swiss watchmakers’ pivotal partnerships, which have further cemented the brand’s place at the heart of the game.

Rolex’s expansive presence in the sport encompasses elite players and golf legends, and all of the game’s Major championships, where success represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sport, as well as the foremost professional tours and worldwide amateur championships. The brand’s support for the game is built on a strong sense of integrity and a desire to promote the continuity of expertise and transfer of knowledge, driven by a recognition of the importance of investing in the sport’s development for future generations.

Images: Rolex