1 day Ago By Sam Smith
Several golfers are heading to Augusta National this month desperate to win the coveted green jacket. The symbolic item of clothing is claimed by the Masters champion. Scottie Scheffler is the reigning champion but he had already worn a green jacket with his first win in 2022.
Among the players who have not won the Masters are Rory McIlroy , Colin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Aberg. Those four, particularly McIlroy who has endured some horrid luck at Augusta , will be desperate to claim their first green jacket. The blazer reportedly costs just £196 ($250) to order from an outsourced tailoring company and is made from school uniform-style wool and polyester.
It also has a simple origin story. When Augusta opened in 1933, the iconic former golfer Bobby Jones wanted a jacket which matched the red worn by former captains at Royal Liverpool , which he had seen during his win there six years prior. The idea for green came after Jones was taken in by the leaves around the Augusta site.
Four years later, Jones insisted that every member should wear their jacket on the site so that non-members could ask them for directions. Jackets were initially made from pure wool, which caused consternation among members in the sheer heat of the Georgia sun. A lightweight version was introduced in 1938 and the jackets have gone on to become one of the most iconic prizes in golf.
There are strict conditions for owning a green jacket. Only first-time winners can remove theirs from the Augusta grounds - and only for the first year. They are then locked in the Augusta Champions’ locker room and worn only during Masters week.
However, winners are now presented with a replica jacket that they can keep. Masters winners are granted honorary membership to the Augusta National Golf Club. However, that is not the same as a full, fee-paying membership, which is invite-only.
Around 300 people are on the list of full members but their identities are kept a secret. It is understood that only the very best of business, sport and entertainment are allowed to become a member. Last year, Scheffler became the fourth-youngest player to claim two green jackets.
This week, he even used his perks to have a round of golf with his mother. It is extremely difficult to play a round at Augusta - but former champions are allowed to pick any playing partner for a round on the Sunday before the Masters begins..
