1959 Masters Tournament

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox individual golf tournament

| name = 1959 Masters Tournament

| image = 1959_Masters_Tournament_Official_program_cover.jpg

| caption = Front cover of the 1959 Masters Guide

| dates = April 2–5, 1959

| location = Augusta, Georgia

| course = Augusta National Golf Club

| org = Augusta National Golf Club

| tour = PGA Tour

| par = 72

| yardage = {{convert|6980|yd|0}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RqFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3519%2C1749556 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Stan Leonard blasts out 69 to tie for first in Masters |date=April 5, 1959 |page=1-sports}}

| field = 87 players, 42 after cut

| cut = 149 (+5)

| purse = $76,100

| winners_share = $15,000

| champion = {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Art Wall Jr.

| score = 284 (−4)

| previous = 1958

| next = 1960

| map = USA#USA Georgia

| map_relief = yes

| map_label = Augusta National

| map_caption = Location in the United States##Location in Georgia

| coordinates = {{coord|33.503|N|82.020|W|type:event|display=inline,title}}

}}

The 1959 Masters Tournament was the 23rd Masters Tournament, held April 2–5 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Art Wall Jr. shot a final round of 66 (−6), with birdies on five of the last six holes, for his only major title, one stroke ahead of runner-up Cary Middlecoff, the 1955 champion.{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1959/04/06/page/59/article/wall-rallies-takes-masters-on-284 |newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune |title=Wall rallies, takes Masters on 284 |date=April 6, 1959 |page=1, part 4}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R6FWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7034%2C1826182 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Wall birdies 5 of final 6; wins Masters in epic finish |date=April 6, 1959 |page=10}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1_kjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wSUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6993%2C3364213 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=New York Times News Service |title=Birdies on five of last six holes give Art Wall a 66, Masters title |date=April 6, 1959 |page=10}} Wall started the final round six strokes behind the leaders, in a tie for thirteenth place.

Defending champion Arnold Palmer was a third round co-leader,{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1959/04/05/page/45/article/leonards-69-ties-palmer-after-3d-round-of-masters |newspaper=Chicago Sunday Tribune |last=Bartlett |first=Charles |title=Leonard's 69 ties Palmer after 3d round of Masters |date=April 5, 1959 |page=1, part 2}} but a triple-bogey at the par-3 12th led to a 74 and a third-place finish, two strokes back.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1959/04/13/616003/wall-was-wondrous |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Brown |first=Gwilym |title=Wall was wondrous |date=April 13, 1959 |page=16}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lkxTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y4MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4879%2C787435 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Gundelfinger |first=Phil |title=Wall's sensational rally takes Masters |date=April 6, 1959 |page=26}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f7U_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=OFcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=829%2C2029597 |newspaper=Youngstown Vindicator |location=Ohio |agency=UPI |last=Petersen |first=Leo H. |title=Sensational closing round of 66 gives Art Wall Masters tourney title |date=April 6, 1959 |page=17}} The purse in 1959 was a record $76,100 with a winner's share of $15,000 to Wall. The estimated gallery for the final round on Sunday was 30,000 spectators.

Nineteen-year-old Jack Nicklaus made his Masters debut with 76-74 (150) and missed the cut by one stroke. He played in 45 Masters, the first three as an amateur, and only missed one cut (1967) in the next 34 Masters tournaments. Nicklaus won a record six green jackets and was runner-up four times in his 22 top-10 finishes.