1998 Masters Tournament

{{Short description|American golf tournament held in 1998}}

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

{{Infobox individual golf tournament

| name = 1998 Masters Tournament

| image = 1998_Masters_Tournament_Official_program_cover.jpg

| caption = Front cover of the 1998 Masters Journal

| dates = April 9–12, 1998

| location = Augusta, Georgia

| course = Augusta National Golf Club

| org = Augusta National Golf Club

| tour = PGA Tour
European Tour
Japan Golf Tour

| par = 72

| yardage = {{convert|6925|yd}}

| field = 88 players, 46 after cut

| cut = 150 (+6)

| purse = US$3.2 million

| winners_share = $576,000

| champion = {{flagicon|USA}} Mark O'Meara

| score = 279 (−9)

| previous = 1997

| next = 1999

| 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 1998 Masters Tournament was the 62nd Masters Tournament, held from April 9–12 at Augusta National Golf Club. Mark O'Meara won his first major championship with a {{convert|20|ft|0|adj=on}} birdie putt on the final hole to win by one stroke over runners-up David Duval and Fred Couples.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1998/04/20/8097320/out-of-the-woods-young-lions-and-tiger-and-a-golden-bearmark-omeara-slipped-past-a-menagerie-of-rivals-to-win-the-masters|magazine=Sports Illustrated|last=Rushin|first=Steve|title=Out of the Woods|date=April 20, 1998|page=32}}

{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KoRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OG8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4033%2C2552484|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|last=Dulac|first=Gerry|title=Oh, My|date=April 13, 1998|page=C-1}} He birdied three of the final four holes in a final round 67 (−5).{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zk5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zusDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6335%2C3385638|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|location=(Oregon)|last=Bonk |first=Thomas |agency=(from Los Angeles Times) |title=O'Meara clears major hurdle|date=April 13, 1998|page=1B}}

In one of the most remarkable performances of his career, Jack Nicklaus tied for sixth place at the age of 58. His final round 68 (−4) yielded a 283 (−5), the lowest 72-hole score by a player over age 50 at the Masters until Phil Mickelson shot a score of 280 (−8) in the 2023 tournament. Nicklaus was in contention for the title until well into the back nine holes in the final round. It was his last serious run for a major championship, twelve years after his sixth Masters victory in 1986.

In his first Masters, David Toms shot a 29 (−7) on the back nine on Sunday, en route to a 64 (−8). He had six consecutive birdies on holes 12–17.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zk5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zusDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6781%2C3393972|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|location=(Oregon)|title=Toms makes run at record book in final-round 64 |date=April 13, 1998|page=3B}}

O'Meara's win came in his 15th attempt at Augusta, setting a record for appearances before a victory. He had previously been considered one of the best players to never win a major. Later in July, he won the Open Championship and earned PGA Tour Player of the Year honors for 1998.

Matt Kuchar, a 19-year-old sophomore at Georgia Tech, was the low amateur at even-par 288 and tied for 21st place. The reigning U.S. Amateur champion, he carded a four-under 68 in the third round.