Who is the oldest Masters winner?

Jack Nicklaus is the oldest Masters winner. He won the 1986 tournament at age 46 years, 82 days, producing one of the most celebrated final rounds in major-championship history.

Nicklaus began the final round four strokes behind leader Greg Norman and Tom Kite. He surged up the leaderboard with a 30 on the back nine, including birdies at holes 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, and 17. His birdie putt on the 17th hole gave him the outright lead, and he sealed the victory with a par on the 18th.

The win was Nicklaus’ sixth Masters title, extending his record at Augusta National. It was also his 18th and final professional major championship. His son, Jack Nicklaus II, served as his caddie that week, adding an unusual family dimension to the victory.

Gary Player, who won the Masters at 42 in 1978, was older than many champions but not older than Nicklaus. Phil Mickelson later won the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50, but that was not a Masters victory, so it does not change this record.