It may not be as rewarding or as well known as the green jacket, but those who participate in the Masters are also coveting the “crystal.”
Since 1954, Augusta National has awarded crystal artifacts for memorable feats in the tournament. Each day’s low scorer receives a crystal vase, an eagle earns you a pair of crystal goblets and a hole-in-one or a double-eagle lands you a large crystal bowl.
According to the tournament media guide, crystal was actually first awarded to the legendary Gene Sarazen in 1935 when he received a crystal bowl for making the first double-eagle in tournament history, but it didn’t become a regular prize until 19 years later.
Aside from making a nice addition to the living-room mantel, crystal can provide some consolation for those who miss out on the green jacket.
"For the first couple of years, if I missed the cut, I was just trying to make eagle that last day just to get something," Chad Campbell, who owns three pieces of crystal, told Augusta.com.
No one has ever won the “crystal grand slam” — a low score, an eagle, a hole-in-one and a double-eagle — not even over the course of a career.
Jeff Sluman came the closest to accomplishing it in a single tournament when he got everything except the double-eagle in 1992.
Unsurprisingly, Jack Nicklaus, who won a record six Masters, has the most crystal. He won crystal 39 times — 24 for eagles and 15 for low rounds. The Golden Bear never made a hole-in-one or double-eagle, though. He’s not alone — there have been only 19 holes-in-one and just three double-eagles in tournament history.
No matter how far off the lead a golfer is, there’s never a meaningless shot at the Masters. There’s always crystal up for grabs.
