Watch the complete final round broadcast of the 1983 Masters. Seve Ballesteros wins his second Masters, finishing four strokes ahead of Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite.
The 1983 Masters Tournament: A Rain-Soaked Triumph and Historic Changes
The 1983 Masters Tournament, the 47th edition of this prestigious event, took place from April 7th to 11th at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
This particular Masters will be remembered for several reasons, including Seve Ballesteros’ impressive victory and a groundbreaking change in caddie policy.
Seve Ballesteros Shines
Seve Ballesteros, the Spanish golf sensation, captured his second Masters title and third major championship in a dramatic fashion.
Going into the final round on Monday, Ballesteros was trailing defending champion Craig Stadler and 1976 champion Raymond Floyd.
However, a blistering start on Monday, with a birdie-eagle combination, set the tone for his day.
Ballesteros continued to impress with a birdie on the challenging par-3 fourth hole and a front-nine score of five-under 31.
His final round of 69 (-3) secured a comfortable four-stroke victory over runners-up Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite.
Weather Woes
The 1983 Masters faced unusual weather challenges. Heavy rain forced the postponement of Friday’s play, raising concerns about completing the full 72 holes.
The southeastern U.S. was grappling with floods and unfavorable forecasts, adding to the tournament’s uncertainty.
To accommodate the weather disruptions, the tournament committee made the decision to hold only the third round on Sunday and complete the fourth round on Monday.
Legends in Action
The tournament witnessed the participation of golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Palmer, at the age of 53, opened with a remarkable 68 on Thursday, marking his final Masters appearance.
He described the conditions on Saturday as the worst he had ever seen at Augusta.
Meanwhile, Jack Nicklaus, a five-time Masters winner, withdrew due to back spasms before his second round.
Nicklaus’ withdrawal was a rare occurrence in his illustrious career, only the second time as a professional golfer.
Sam Snead’s Farewell
The 1983 Masters also marked the final major championship for the legendary Sam Snead, who was a three-time Masters champion.
Snead made the difficult decision to withdraw after a disappointing first-round score of 79, realizing that he would not make the cut.
Caddie Policy Revolution
A significant change occurred in 1983 as players were granted the liberty to use their own caddies instead of those provided by Augusta National Golf Club.
This alteration allowed for greater personalization in players’ choices of caddies.
Interestingly, this Masters Tournament also saw history being made with the appearance of the first female caddie.
George Archer, the 1969 champion, enlisted his 19-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Archer, to carry his bag. Elizabeth had been her father’s caddie in twenty previous events since 1980.
This progressive step opened doors for female caddies in the world of professional golf.
George Archer’s performance, finishing tied for twelfth, was one of his better showings at Augusta.
