Rory McIlroy won his second consecutive Masters title in 2026, joining an elite group of champions. Several colleges, including Stanford, have produced multiple Masters winners, highlighting the importance of college golf programs in shaping future champions.
The 2026 Masters Tournament once again showed why Augusta National remains the biggest stage in golf. Rory McIlroy made history by winning back-to-back Masters titles, and that alone put his name into a very small group of players who have managed to stay on top at the game’s most famous major. The win added another strong chapter to a career already built around big moments. When a player wins at Augusta, the Green Jacket becomes more than a prize. It becomes a symbol of place, history, and lasting greatness.
That is why college golf programs matter so much in this conversation. Many of the game’s greatest Masters champions first built their foundation in college, and several schools have produced more than one winner at Augusta National. From Stanford to Texas, from Ohio State to Arizona State, the list of programs linked with Green Jackets is impressive. Some schools are connected to one dominant star, while others have sent several champions into the tournament.
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Here is a look at the colleges boasting the most Masters-winning alumni and the Green Jackets tied to each program.
Tiger Woods — 5 wins: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019
Tom Watson — 2 wins: 1977, 1981
Stanford stands at the top because of Tiger Woods and Tom Watson. Woods gave the school five Masters titles on his own, while Watson added two more. That makes Stanford the clear leader in this group.
Jack Nicklaus — 6 wins: 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986
Ohio State’s total comes from one name, but it is a huge one. Jack Nicklaus won the Masters six times and remains the school’s most famous Augusta connection. His record at the event is one of the strongest in golf history.
Ben Crenshaw — 2 wins: 1984, 1995
Jordan Spieth — 1 win: 2015
Scottie Scheffler — 2 wins: 2022, 2024
Texas has three different Masters champions, which gives the program a special place in this list. Crenshaw won twice, Spieth added one, and Scheffler delivered two more. That mix of champions makes Texas one of the strongest schools in Masters history.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson — 3 wins: 2004, 2006, 2010
Jon Rahm — 1 win: 2023
Arizona State has been powered by two modern stars. Mickelson won three times, and Rahm added another Green Jacket in 2023. Together, they built a strong Masters record for the Sun Devils.
Arnold Palmer — 4 wins: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964
Wake Forest’s total comes entirely from Arnold Palmer. He won the Masters four times and became one of the most recognizable champions in the tournament’s history. His success gave the school a lasting link to Augusta.
Apr 8, 2012; Augusta, GA, USA; Bubba Watson (right) reacts after being presented with the green Masters champion jacket from 2011 winner Charl Schwartzel (left) after the 2012 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Bubba Watson — 2 wins: 2012, 2014
Georgia is represented by Bubba Watson, who won two Masters titles. His victories in 2012 and 2014 made the Bulldogs part of this elite group of schools with multiple Augusta champions.
Fuzzy Zoeller — 1 win: 1979
Fred Couples — 1 win: 1992
Houston rounds out the list with two different Masters winners. Zoeller won in 1979, and Couples followed with a title in 1992. Their success keeps Houston in the conversation among schools with strong Masters ties.
Some programs built their legacy around one historic player, while others spread their success across several champions. Stanford leads the way because of Tiger Woods and Tom Watson, while Ohio State stands out for Jack Nicklaus and his six wins. Texas has become one of the strongest modern programs because of Crenshaw, Spieth, and Scheffler. Arizona State also deserves attention for producing both Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm.
Wake Forest, Georgia, and Houston may not have the same total as Stanford or Ohio State, but each school has its own place in Masters history. That is what makes this list interesting. It is not only about the number of titles. It is also about the lasting connection between college golf and Augusta National. Every Green Jacket on this list tells part of that story.
Stanford University has produced the most Masters champions, with a total of 7 Green Jackets.
Rory McIlroy has won back-to-back Masters titles, bringing his total to 2 Green Jackets.
College golf programs are significant because many of the greatest Masters champions develop their skills and foundation during their college years.
Winning the Masters not only awards a Green Jacket but also solidifies a golfer's legacy and status in the sport's history.
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