Honorary starter Arnold Palmer posed with Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne after hitting his tee shot on the 1st hole at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2009. The legendary golfer’s green jacket was reportedly stolen from Augusta National Golf Club during a 13-year span, according to cllct’s Darren Rovell. Palmer had earned the jacket as a four-time Masters champion.
Federal investigators did not mention Palmer’s missing Green Jacket, nor did Augusta National Golf Club officials acknowledge its absence. Richard Brendan Globensky was recently charged by federal authorities for transporting and transferring stolen merchandise and memorabilia from Augusta National Golf Club between 2009 and 2022. He moved the items from Augusta, Georgia to Tampa, Florida, and officials believe he knew the items were stolen.
Globensky, a former warehouse coordinator at Augusta National who oversaw Masters merchandise sales, had access to the stolen items. The stolen jacket was recovered in a 2022 FBI operation where a private sale was arranged. The buyer and collector met the seller, and after a deposit was paid, FBI agents seized the jacket and questioned the sellers.
After Palmer’s passing in 2016, Augusta National honored the four-time champion by draping his jacket on a chair during the Masters. Palmer had several Green Jackets, and the stolen one was believed to be from his 1958 Masters victory. It was not among his actual winner’s jackets.