The most famous three-hole stretch in golf is commonly referred to as Amen Corner, and for anyone fortunate enough to have a ticket to the Masters, visiting the area is the most extraordinary pilgrimage in the sport.
Amen Corner refers to the 11th, 12th and 13th holes at Augusta National Golf Club, the annual site of the Masters Tournament. For avid golf fans, though, the designation is a bit more specific. Herbert Warren Wind was the first to use the term in 1958, describing the lower half of the 11th hole, the 12th hole and the tee shot on the par-5 13th in an article for Sports Illustrated.
Golf lovers from around the world power walk (running is not allowed at Augusta National) and set up green collapsible chairs at the bottom of the 11th hole and behind the 12th tee box as soon as the club allows patrons on the course each morning.
Each day, neat, tight rows of chairs cover the gentle slope.
The holes lend themselves to drama because the second shot on the 11th hole requires players to stay to the right of a pond. Invariably, a contender finds the water, as Ludvig Aberg did at the 2024 Masters.
The 12th hole is home to the most swirling, perplexing winds on the course and forces players to hit over Rae’s Creek to a putting surface that appears to be a sliver of green about 155 yards away.
The 13th hole, which was lengthened before last year's Masters, requires players to sling the ball around a corner on the left, then heroically hit over the creek if they want a chance at an eagle on the par 5.
What are some famous moments that occurred at Amen Corner?
Over the years, countless Masters have been won — and lost — along this stretch, which also marks the lowest point on the property.
- In 1987, Larry Mize chipped in from right of the 11th green to defeat Greg Norman in a playoff and win the green jacket.
- In 1989, Nick Faldo sank a 25-foot putt to beat Scott Hoch on the second playoff hole — the 11th green.
- In 2010, after driving through the fairway and into the trees, Phil Mickelson hit the shot of his life — a 6-iron between two pines that flew over Rae’s Creek and stopped 6 feet from the hole.
- In 2015, Bubba Watson launched a remarkable drive over the trees left of the 13th tee and made a birdie that helped him win his second green jacket.
- In 2016, defending champion Jordan Spieth brought a one-shot lead to the 12th tee, but he hit two balls into Rae’s Creek in front of the 155-yard par 3 and walked to the 13th tee three shots off the lead.
- In the final round of the 2019 Masters, Brooks Koepka, Ian Poulter, Francesco Molinari and Tony Finau were all in contention as they played the 12th hole — and each hit into Rae’s Creek. Tiger Woods safely found the green, made par and went on to win his fifth Masters.
Undoubtedly, more drama will unfold at Amen Corner at the 2025 Masters and tournaments in the future.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: What are the holes that make up Amen Corner at ...
