Winning the Masters is one of golf’s greatest accomplishments, but not every green jacket winner would thrive in the modern era. Between ultra-tight competition, booming distance off the tee, and advanced analytics, the game has changed—and not every past champion would keep up.
Here are 15 Masters champions who might have trouble even qualifying for Augusta today.
15. Charles Coody
Coody had his big Masters moment in 1971, but the modern game demands way more than one shining week. His short game would still hold up, but his lack of distance would bury him on today’s tour.
14. Art Wall Jr.
Art Wall Jr. was a wizard with the putter back in the day, but his style wouldn’t translate well to today’s power-driven setups. He’d get lost trying to keep pace with the new wave of bombers.
13. Tommy Aaron
Aaron’s 1973 win was impressive, but he never consistently performed at a high level afterward. Today’s depth of talent would likely push him to the fringes of qualifying.
12. George Archer
Known for his putting stroke, Archer’s game was built around finesse rather than firepower. Augusta now favors players who can overpower the course, and that just wasn’t his strength.
11. Doug Ford
Doug Ford got it done in the 1950s, but golf today is a completely different beast. He’d struggle with the course length and the mental grind of today’s media-heavy spotlight.
10. Bob Goalby
Goalby won under controversial circumstances in 1968, and his resume beyond that wasn’t jaw-dropping. In today’s game, he’d need a lot more than good fortune to make the field.
9. Larry Mize
Mize gave us one of the most iconic chip-ins in Masters history, but that kind of magic isn’t a long-term ticket to success. His game was short and precise, but Augusta today demands more muscle.
8. Billy Casper
Casper was an all-time great, no doubt, but his conservative style wouldn’t fly today. He’d have to overhaul his strategy to even sniff the leaderboard in a modern field.
7. Trevor Immelman
![Dec 21, 2024; Orlando, Florida, [USA]; Trevor Immelman hits a shot from the rough on the 18th hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.](https://gamerkoala.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Trevor-Immelman-1024x576.jpg)
Immelman’s 2008 win was a Cinderella story, but he never found that form again. In today’s field, consistency and power rule the day, and he never had enough of either.
6. Ian Woosnam
Woosnam brought fire and passion to Augusta, but he was also one of the shortest Masters champs off the tee. That would be a serious problem on today’s stretched-out courses.
5. Sandy Lyle
Lyle’s swing was unique and effective in the 80s, but it wouldn’t generate enough ball speed today. He’d probably have a hard time even making it out of qualifying school.
4. Angel Cabrera
Cabrera was a clutch performer when it counted, but his off-course issues and streaky play wouldn’t cut it today. The modern game requires discipline, and that was never his strong suit.
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3. Zach Johnson
Johnson’s wedge-and-putt approach helped him win in 2007, but the course has changed since then. Without the ability to reach par-5s in two, he’d be facing uphill battles all week long.
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2. Mike Weir
Weir had a tidy short game and great course management, but distance was never his thing. In today’s Masters, that’s a deal-breaker for making the cut, let alone winning.
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1. Danny Willett
Willett capitalized on a shocking Jordan Spieth collapse in 2016, but he’s rarely been in contention since. With today’s field deeper and stronger than ever, he’d have to fight just to earn a tee time.
