2023 Masters Poll: Where Does Augusta National Feel Most Sacred or Special?


Augusta National is one of golf’s great cathedrals.

Being there is equivalent to seeing the Sistine Chapel or visiting the Vatican. For some it is a religious experience.

But where on the revered course does it feel most sacred or special?

That was the question we asked more than two dozen participants at Masters past and present. Some are lucky enough to change shoes in the club’s Champions Locker Room, some have won other Majors or reached World No. 1, but they’ve all had the privilege of attending the first men’s major of the year and knowing where it happens that a very special place feels very special.

Will Zalatoris

2021 champions

Will Zalatoris walks over the Hogan Bridge on the 12th hole during the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports)

Standing on Hogan Bridge on the 12th. My dad played Augusta National twice. He said every time you get on the bridge turn around and look because you’ll never get that view from the TV.

Gary Woodland

2021 champions

2021 champions

Gary Woodland plays his shot from the 12th tee during the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Every time you get down there at 12. It has so much history. Being on the 12th tee is as good as it gets.

JustinThomas

2021 champions

2021 champions

Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry on the 15th green at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

I think 2 green and 15 green have a special feel. The 15thth green is a little deeper where it reverberate a little more. You’ve got eagles, you’ve got chip-ins. You can have these big roars and it’s a cool place.

Jordan Spieth

2021 champions

2021 champions

Jordan Spieth on the 12th hole at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports)

Left of 11, 12 green, left of 13 where you’re pretty much alone. So Amen Corner on the left.

Adam Scott

2013 champion

2013 champion

Adam Scott reacts after a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2013 Masters. (Photo: Augusta National/Getty Images)

There are many spots, but 12 is a special place. The 10th Green is a special place for me, 18 is special.

Jon Rahm

2021 champions

2021 champions

Jon Rahm and caddy Adam Hayes on the 11th hole at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports)

When you start going down the 10 and see 11 and 12, that’s about as special as it gets.

Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player

2021 champions

2021 champions

A sign for Amen Corner at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports)

Amen corner.

Collin Morikawa

Master tournament 2022

Master tournament 2022

Collin Morikawa celebrates after potting from a bunker on the 18th hole in the 2022 Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports)

When I run up 18 I get chills. Last year it was Rory and I and we both holed up. But there’s nothing quite like the prospect of 12 greens.

Matt Kuchar

2016 champion

2016 champion

Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar and KJ Choi walk across the Hogan Bridge during the 2016 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic)

The Hogan Bridge at 12, looking towards the plaque as you cross Rae’s Creek. Just as you do this, all the visions of past greats who have taken the same walk race through my mind.

Kevin Kisner

2022 champions

2022 champions

Kevin Kisner tees off in 12th place at the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Course. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports)

Amen Corner on Sunday when you start yelling. The only time I was close to the guide to hear that was special.

Zach Johnson

2021 champions

2021 champions

Zach Johnson on the 18th green during the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Where should I start.

Butler Cabin, Amen Corner, Sunday first tee, climb 18.

Trevor Immelman

2010 champion

2010 champion

Trevor Immelman at the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Standing on fairway 11 you can see the entirety of Amen Corner.

Victor Howland

2022 champions

2022 champions

Viktor Hovland at the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Amen Corner, walk down to the 11th green, see 12th and then on the opposite side, if you walk to the 12th green and look back, that’s very special.

Billy Horschel

2022 champions

2022 champions

Billy Horschel near Rae’s Creek at the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA TODAY Sports)

Amen corner. It’s such a great meeting place.

Max Homa

2022 champions

2022 champions

Max Homa and Caddy Joe Greiner on the 13th hole at the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

At 13thth Tea. Just you, the caddies and the players. It’s very special.

Jim Furyk

1997 champion

1997 champion

Jim Furyk at the par 3 contest before the 1997 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Course. (Photo: Chuck Bigger – The Augusta Chronicle via USA TODAY NETWORK)

I would say first tee when I play there for the first time on Thursday and Byron Nelson is sitting there watching. That was pretty good.

Tommy Fleetwood

The 18thth green late on a Sunday.

Tony Finau

Champion 2019

Champion 2019

Tony Finau at the 2019 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: David J Phillip/Associated PRess)

The first tee on the first hole. Something like that does not exist.

Harris English

2021 champions

2021 champions

Harris English at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The 16 tee where you can look over and see 15 green and then 16 is one of my favorite holes out there.

Corey Conners

2020 champions

2020 champions

Corey Conners with his caddy Kyle Peters at the 2020 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Matt Slocum/Associated Press)

The 15 green, 16 tee is so special. At the weekend, the atmosphere is electrified.

Keegan Bradley

2017 champion

2017 champion

A sign indicates Amen Corner at the 2017 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

Amen corner.

When you come over that hill at 11 and you look down and you’ve been looking at it your whole life, it looks fake, like a painting.

This is the spot.

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek



Source : sports.yahoo.com

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