The Masters Tournament started in 1934 as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, and the event is in its 89th playing in 2025.
The event is unique in golf in that Augusta National invites its champions to return, effectively, for life -- and that most champions take up the club on the offer for decades after their win(s). Being a Masters champion makes it possible to play in the Masters for an incredibly long time, so perhaps it's no surprise that one of the greatest Masters champions has the most appearances in Masters history.
Who has made the most starts in the Masters Tournament?
Three-time Masters winner Gary Player holds the record for the most cumulative Masters appearances. He played in the Masters a total of 52 times from 1957 through 2009. Player played in 36 Masters in a row from 1974 through the end of his run in 2009.
Four-time Masters winner Arnold Palmer holds the record for the most consecutive Masters appearances, and it equals the number of total Masters starts he made. The 1958, '60, '62 and '64 champion played in 50 Masters in a row from 1955-2004. The King's longevity in the Masters was incredible, and his connection with Augusta National patrons is perhaps unparalleld in the history of the event.
Palmer has a one-start edge over Doug Ford for second on the list, as Ford played in 49 Masters -- playing 46 of them in a row. The 1955 PGA champion and 1957 Masters champion made it nearly a half-century of playing at Augusta National.
Behind Player, Palmer and Ford, there are three players with 45 Masters starts: Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd (all consecutive) and Billy Casper.
Just behind that trio are Sam Snead (all conseuctive) and Ben Crenshaw, who each played in 44 Masters.
It's unlikely that any modern player will challenge either Player's or Palmer's records at the Masters, but getting to 40 Masters appearances in the modern era would mark an incredible career.
