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The three golfers with the highest winning score at The Masters

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
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The Masters is now imminent, with Rory McIlroy out to defend his unforgettable title from Augusta National last year.

McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam at the iconic course last time out, defeating his European Ryder Cup teammate Justin Rose in a playoff.

The Northern Irishman carded rounds of 72, 66, 66 and 73 for an 11-under 277, the same score Scottie Scheffler hit to clinch the Green Jacket the year before.

Recent years have produced very similar scores, which have fallen well short of the highest winning score in the history of The Masters.

That is a somewhat unwanted record that is shared by three players, all of whom recorded a score of 289 to lift the trophy.

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Sam Snead – 1954

Snead carded the highest winning score in the history of The Masters back in 1954, although he was initially joined by Ben Hogan on 289.

But after their tie on one-over in regulation play, it was the former who emerged victorious over the defending champion via a playoff.

It represented a third win at The Masters and a seventh and final major win for Snead, who is currently tied with Tiger Woods on 82 for the most-ever PGA Tour victories.

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The Augusta National clubhouse ahead of The Masters in 2020
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Jack Burke Jr. – 1956

Just two years after Snead, Jack Burke Jr. also carded a one-over 289 en route to winning The Masters at Augusta National.

Continuing the theme of American champions on home soil, he edged out amateur Ken Venturi by a single shot.

A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Burke Jr. won his other major title, the PGA Championship, in the same year.

Augusta National Archive
Photo by Augusta National/Getty Images

Zach Johnson – 2007

There was a very lengthy wait for a player to follow in the footsteps of Snead and Burke Jr. at Augusta, but that was ended in 2007.

That was the year that Zach Johnson carded a one-over 289 to claim the green jacket, representing his maiden major win.

The American, who later won The Open Championship in 2015, defeated compatriot Tiger Woods and South African duo Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini by two shots at Augusta.