For golf fans, there’s nothing quite like the Masters. As the first major championship of the season, it kicks off an exciting summer for the sport which will culminate in the Ryder Cup later this year. But even away from the wider context of the golf season, the Masters stands alone as being the most prestigious of golf’s four majors.

The fact that it is played at the same venue each year, the glorious Augusta National, adds the special element of history and heritage to the Masters. Indeed, there are so many reasons why golf fans adore this tournament, so as we start analysing the golf latest betting, let’s look at a few reasons why the Masters is just so special.

The Setting

There is no golf course quite like Augusta National. The sheer beauty of this setting, when basking in the spring sunshine, is one of the great sights in sport, and the juxtaposition of golf’s fiercest competitors doing battle against the backdrop of such natural beauty is not lost on the fans who turn out year-in, year-out to spectate.

From the moment players drive up the famous Magnolia Lane, they know they are entering a very special place for golf.

The Holes

Although the well-pruned foliage and striking azaleas may be beautiful to look at, do not be deceived about the toughness of the holes at Augusta National. To win there is to master a golf course of extreme difficulty, one that requires pinpoint lay-ups and precise putting. You can’t bully Augusta National will hard-hitting drives as you can at other destinations around the world.

Many a golfer has come unstuck around the dreaded Amen Corner, and if you don’t give every hole complete respect you can quickly see your Masters dreams go up in flames.

The Drama

Of course, the main reason why golf fans hold the Masters so close to their hearts is the sheer amount of sporting drama we have witnessed at Augusta over the years. We’ve seen Tiger Woods win his first major in 1997, and 22 years later produce a spectacular display to win a fifth Masters title in 2017.

We’ve seen the greatness of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros, and we’ve seen plenty of heartbreak along the way as well. This is a tournament that has the power to both make dreams come true and crush them.

The Green Jacket

The prize at the end of it is the green jacket, perhaps one of the greatest symbols of sporting status in the world. To put on the green jacket is to enter an exclusive club of Masters champions — to be able to say that you are truly one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game.

Some will have the chance to put on the famous garment in the Butler Cabin on numerous occasions, but for many, their Masters triumph is a single moment of bliss blooming from the hard graft of day-to-day life on tour. It represents everything uniquely special about this famous old tournament.