From Gary Player at just 5ft 6" to 1969 winner George Archer at 6ft 5", winners of The Masters come in all shapes and sizes, which begs the question: during the ceremony, how do they get the right Green Jacket size?
Every year, a Green Jacket is handed to the Masters winner in the immediate aftermath of their Augusta National victory. It first happens during a presentation ceremony in Butler Cabin, where the previous year’s winner helps the new champion into their jacket.
However, before the winner gets to try on the coveted prize, it must first be located. That search begins early on Sunday, where Augusta National members with approximately the same height and build as the leading players are sought out.
When the best matches are found, all that's left to do is wait for a winner to emerge. The correct Green Jacket size is then borrowed from the member for the ceremony and proceeding photos and interviews. Following that, the champion is measured up for their own tailored version when schedules allow in the weeks that follow.
That takes place at the Golf Shop, or they can provide measurements so that their custom-made garment can be tailored. Typically, a multiple winner will have only one Green Jacket unless his size changes enough to warrant a replacement.
But why do Augusta National members wear the jackets in the first place? The tradition began just three years after The Masters began, in 1937, and the reason was practical: it offered a way for patrons on site to locate members whenever they had a question or needed some information. In 1949, the tradition of awarding the Green Jacket to the winner began, with Sam Snead the first recipient.
The Masters champion gets to keep the jacket for a year before returning it to the club, which is why you'll often see the winner parading it beyond Augusta National at various events in the months that follow. It is then stored on the property and made available to the champion to wear whenever he's at the club.
