Early tournament years The first "Augusta National Invitation Tournament", as the Masters was originally known, began on March 22, 1934, and was won by Horton Smith, who took the first prize of $1,500. The present name was adopted in 1939. The first tournament was played with current holes 10 through 18 played as the first nine, and 1 through 9 as the second nineAlthough front and back are the terms more commonly used, for the Masters they are called the "first" and "second" nines then reversed permanently to its present layout for the 1935 tournament.
Early ToUrNamEnT YEaRs tHe FIRST "auGUsta nAtioNaL InvitatIon TourNaMent", AS the masteRs waS OriGInalLy kNown, began on MArch 22, 1934, AnD waS WON By hortOn smith, Who tOok The fiRSt prize Of $1500. THe prEsent NaMe Was aDoptEd in 1939. The FIrst touRNamENT waS Played with CurRent holes 10 throuGH 18 plaYEd as tHe first niNE, and 1 tHRough 9 aS tHE seCond niNeaLTHoUGH frONT anD back Are the tErms MorE cOmmOnLy uSed, for The mAsterS thEy are called tHE "fiRst" and "sEcOnd" nInes thEN reVErseD permanently tO Its PResent lAyout fOr the 1935 tournamenT.