We eliminated the obvious choice – Golden Bell, the slender par-3 that has been a watery grave for many Green Jacket hopes – though Collin Morikawa was quick to point out he never said that hole was scary.
Jon Rahm cleverly asked, “Does the walk to 12 count?” and Jim Furyk voted for the dreaded third shot at 12. Sorry, Collin, 12 is take-your-par-and-run scary and that’s a fact.
The votes have been tabulated and Nos. 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15 and 18 all have been tabbed as “scary.” Our favorite answer has to be Jack Nicklaus, who made it clear he wasn’t scared of any of them but then gave a master class on the six scary shots that must be handled to have success at Augusta National. A scary thought, indeed.
Here’s what the pros had to say about the scariest hole at Augusta National, and why it’s No. 11.
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Keegan Bradley
“Easily 11. It’s probably the hardest hole we play on Tour all year. It’s 500 yards, there’s water and you can’t bail out. Just as hard as they come.”
Sam Burns
“The second shot at 15. You’re trying to take the water out of play but if you carry it just long it can go in the water.”
Corey Conners
“No. 11. The approach shot is really difficult.”
Harris English
“Five is the most underrated hole. They’ve lengthened it and it’s just a beast. Now, we’re hitting between 5- to 7-iron in there and that green is really tough. To me, that’s the hardest hole out there.”
Tony Finau
“I’m happy you said outside of 12 because that’s the one that gets us the most. Probably 11. Scared isn’t the word but it gets your attention. You have to hit two great shots to hit the green.”
Matt Fitzpatrick
“The 11th. The second shot in particular.”
Tommy Fleetwood
“I’ve always been nervous on the first tee and then probably the 11th.”
Jim Furyk
“If you happen to hit it in the water at 12, the drop is much tougher than the original shot. I’ll go with the third shot at 12.”
Max Homa
“The second shot on 11 is really hard. I don’t think people realize the elevation change. That’s a tough one. There’s also a wedge shot on 15 to the left pin and to the front right pin when it is very firm if you have to lay up. It’s not that hard a shot but it’s a lot harder than I had given credit to it prior. If you mess it up, it’s very bad.”
Billy Horschel
“The fourth. If you’re not in the right spot you’re going to be struggling for par.”
Viktor Hovland
“The back right pins and even the front pins at No. 4, there’s not much room to land it. It’s really hard.”
Trevor Immelman
“Probably the 15th because you could make anything from 3-10 there. The volatility is what makes it so great.”
Kevin Kisner
“Four. It’s 240 into the wind and it feels like I’m never going to make a par.”
Matt Kuchar
“The second and potentially third shot at 15 are some of the scariest shots in golf.”
Zach Johnson
“Eleven. It’s 500 yards and water is lurking even if you hit a good tee shot.”
Collin Morikawa
“I never said 12 scares me. I’d say 11. I’ve played it so badly. I’m going to change that. I’m going to make some pars.”
Jack Nicklaus
“There isn’t any hole that scares me but there’s about six shots at Augusta that you have to handle. The tee shot on No. 2, the second shot at 11, the tee shot at No. 12, the tee shot and second shot at 13, and the second shot at 15. Those are the six shots that are key to play well there.”
Gary Player
“18 on Sunday. Too many tournaments have been lost on that hole, in particular, including me.”
Jon Rahm
“Does the walk to 12 count? Maybe the fourth or fifth holes because of how difficult they are.”
Xander Schauffele
“Any hole with water if the wind is blowing.”
Adam Scott
“No. 1. I think the first green is the hardest green on the golf course and it’s right out of the gate when you can’t feel your fingers or toes. It’s a lot to deal with.”
Jordan Spieth
“11, mainly the second shot. Five tee is a pretty scary spot now.”
Scott Stallings
“The fifth is a really hard hole.”
Kevin Streelman
“The tee shot on 4 is so difficult to the back right flag. It’s 240, downhill and you have about 5 yards to land it.”
Gary Woodland
“11 is just a brutal hole. It’s the most intimidating.”
Will Zalatoris
“I’d say the par-3 4th because it’s a beast.”
