Every April, all eyes in the golf world turn to Augusta National for The Masters. Even if you’re not a hardcore golf fan, there’s something magical about this tournament—green jackets, blooming azaleas, and that old-school prestige. We all know the format of the illustrious tournament, and after four days of gruesome play, ties can happen. That is what happened at the 2025 edition, where Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose went into a playoff on Holly.

In case of a tie, The Masters uses a sudden-death playoff format. The players go back and start with the 18th hole to play it again. If nobody wins there, they move on to the 10th hole. And they keep alternating between 18 and 10 until someone comes out on top.

So yeah—things can get really dramatic, really quick. One missed putt, one clutch birdie, and boom—game over. We’ve seen some iconic wins this way. Think Sergio García in 2017 or Ángel Cabrera in 2009. So are the playoffs at The Masters common? Not exactly, but when they happen, they’re unforgettable. It’s that classic “anything can happen” energy, and you’re on the edge of your seat the whole time. The tension, the sudden-death format, and the pressure are peak drama. And while we’re talking Masters, how can we not mention its iconic traditions?

Why does The Masters still feel like a ritual?

Beyond the drama of sudden death and the intensity of the cut, The Masters is steeped in a kind of tradition that feels almost sacred—even if you’re only casually tuning in. It’s not just about the leaderboard; it’s about everything Augusta stands for.

Take the green jacket, for instance. It’s not just a trophy—it’s a symbol. Winning it means you join an exclusive club of legends, and the jacket itself? Custom-tailored and only worn at Augusta. And then there’s the no-phone rule for fans. In a world where everyone’s glued to screens, Augusta demands you unplug and just be there. It’s quiet. It’s pure. It’s intentional.

And perhaps the coolest part? You can’t just sign up to play The Masters. You’ve got to earn an invite. It’s one of the most exclusive events in sports, and just stepping onto that course means you’re already part of something historic.

All of this—every bloom, every whisper of the crowd, every slow walk up the 18th—makes The Masters feel more like a ritual than a competition. It’s where legends are made, hearts are broken, and fans (even the not-so-golf ones) come back year after year for the magic.