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Where The Champions Of The Biggest Collapses In Masters History Came From

Conor O'Leary
By Conor O'Leary
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Everyone remembers the 2011 Masters as the year Rory McIlroy joined Greg Norman in the pantheon of Masters collapses. The 2011 Masters is more known for McIlroy's failings rather than the eventual champion and where he came from.

There have been a huge number of dreams dying from so far in front - so with Jordan Spieth nearly at evens in the betting for the 2016 Masters - looking at where the champions of those infamous years came from should show that almost anyone has a good chance to win the green jacket come midnight or so tonight.

2011 Masters: Charl Schwartzel Wins From 4 Shots Behind

The image of McIlroy in a part of Augusta that had never been shown on TV before on the 10th hole will remain one of the memories of his demise that year. He showed enormous character to win the US Open that year.

Most golf fans will have to think for a moment before remembering that Charl Schwartzel was the beneficiary of McIlroy's derailment. The South African started the day in a group of four players who were four shots behind the Northern Irishman. Schwartzel immediately set himself apart from that group of Angel Cabrera, KJ Choi, and Jason Day with a birdie on the first hole - and joined McIlroy on -11 after just three holes.

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He was the main challenger the entire round - before Australian pair Adam Scott and Day lead by a shot. Schwartzel blew the field away by closing with four birdies to claim his jacket.

1996 Masters: Nick Faldo Wins From 6 Six Behind

The ultimate collapse. Greg Norman never won the Masters despite two big collapses in 1986 and 1996. In 96, Norman needed a par on the last to force a playoff with Nicklaus - and bogeyed. Nicklaus came from four shots behind going into the final hole that year to shoot a 65. The damage started for Norman with a bogey on the first hole, and despite birdieing on the par five second, Norman dropped five shots at Amen Corner.

Faldo played out of his skin that day. He may have only been a shot ahead of a young Phil Mickelson in third - but while Mickelson stayed third after an even par round Faldo shot an amazing five-under 67 to win.

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1985 Masters: Bernhard Langer Wins From 3 Behind

In contention in the 2016 edition, West German Bernhard Langer won his first Masters thanks to a bizarre moment from Curtis Strange at the 13th at Augusta.

Strange started the day two clear - three clear of Langer - and was playing well. He was a shot under par on the 13th tee, and three shots clear of Langer who was second at the time. Two shots into the water on the 13th, and another on the 15th from Strange allowed the field to catch him - and Langer made four birdies in his final six holes to beat Strange, Seve, and Floyd by two.

Can history repeat itself?

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