Augusta National raises bar (again) with searchable Masters archive

They say the Masters doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday, but for fans watching from home, that wasn’t always the case. That’s because for the first 14 years of Masters broadcasts, from 1956 to 1969, CBS covered only four holes: 15, 16, 17 and 18. The happenings on the rest of the course remained shrouded in mystery.

Oh, how times have changed.

Today, fans get access not only to all 18 holes from every round but also to every shot — on both the course and the range. If this embarrassment of spectating riches has you asking yourself what else Augusta National could possibly have up its green-jacketed sleeve to enhance how fans absorb, relive and daydream about the tournament, well, you weren’t paying attention Thursday when the Masters website debuted the Masters Vault, a digital video archive that allows users to search for every shot from every Masters final round from 1968 to 2025.

It’s easier than ordering a pizza: simply punch a few keywords into the search bar and the app, which is powered by IBM’s AI and data platform, watsonx, takes you to whatever tee box, fairway or green — from whatever modern Masters — that your heart desires.

If you’re aching for some inspiration, enter “Phil Mickelson 18th green 2004” or “Ben Crenshaw 18th green 1995.” If you’re seeking a thrill, type “Tiger Woods 7th hole shot 2 2010” or “Louis Oosthuizen 2nd hole shot 2 2012.” If you like a good horror movie, try “Scott Hoch playoff 10th hole 1989” or “Rory McIlroy 10th hole shot 1 2011.” It that’s easy. Pick your Sunday moment and the vault cues it up.

But wait, there’s more!

On the players’ individual profile pages, you can watch every one of their shots from every Masters round they’ve ever played. Just scroll down to the “Past Masters Performances” section and you’ll see the player’s scorecards come to life with video clips of every shot.

Be warned: It’s a vast, glorious rabbit hole. Once you start hunting for shots and browsing rounds, there’s no telling how many hours you might while away.

But you can assure your boss it’s time well spent.