Watch the complete final round broadcast of the 1994 Masters.
Jose Maria Olazabal wins his first Masters by two strokes over Tom Lehman.
José María Olazábal’s Triumph at the 1994 Masters Tournament: A European Legacy
The 1994 Masters Tournament, the 58th installment of this prestigious golfing event, unfolded from April 7th to 10th at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
This year’s Masters Tournament was marked by a remarkable performance by Spanish golfer José María Olazábal, who claimed his first of two Masters titles, becoming the sixth European winner in the last seven Masters events.
This historic victory solidified Olazábal’s place in golf history, following in the footsteps of fellow countryman Seve Ballesteros, who had previously won the Masters in 1980 and 1983.
A Rollercoaster of Leadership
The 1994 Masters Tournament showcased an exciting battle for the coveted green jacket.
Larry Mize, the 1987 Masters champion, led the pack after each of the first two rounds.
However, it was Tom Lehman who assumed the 54-hole lead with a strong performance on Saturday, carding one of two 69s for the day.
Olazábal matched Lehman’s effort and was just one stroke behind, with Mize trailing by one as well.
Lehman, at the age of 35, had yet to secure a victory on the PGA Tour, making the final round all the more compelling.
A Thrilling Final Round
As the final round began, Olazábal, Lehman, and Mize shared the lead, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown on Augusta’s back nine.
Unfortunately for Mize, he struggled on the closing holes, making three bogeys and falling out of contention.
Lehman bogeyed the par-3 12th hole, slipping one stroke behind Olazábal.
The real turning point came at the par-5 15th hole when both Olazábal and Lehman had eagle opportunities.
Olazábal managed to sink a remarkable 35-foot putt for eagle, while Lehman missed his 15-foot putt.
This pivotal moment extended Olazábal’s lead to two strokes.
With pars at the 16th hole, Olazábal maintained his advantage, but the tension was palpable as they approached the 17th.
Unfortunately for Olazábal, he three-putted from off the 17th green, resulting in a bogey.
Lehman, with a chance to capitalize, missed a birdie opportunity from fifteen feet, narrowing the gap to just one stroke as they approached the final tee.
In a dramatic finish, Lehman’s tee shot found the left fairway bunker, and his approach shot fell well short of the green.
He eventually bogeyed the hole.
Olazábal, meanwhile, faced a challenging situation after his approach shot landed in the gallery.
Despite the pressure, Olazábal displayed remarkable composure, scrambling for par and securing a two-stroke victory.
Legacy and Beyond
The 1994 Masters Tournament was a turning point in José María Olazábal’s career, marking the beginning of his journey towards becoming a golf legend.
He would go on to win his second green jacket five years later in 1999, further cementing his status in the golfing world.
As for Tom Lehman, this tournament served as a stepping stone in his career, as he clinched his first tour event just six weeks later at the Memorial and eventually won a major at The Open Championship in 1996.
