- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,253,964
- Reaction score
- 59
Some holes just have our number. We all can relate to that nemesis hole that kicks us in the teeth on a regular basis. It happens to the best of us, too.
In the latest installment of the Golfweek/USA Today 2026 Masters Survey, we asked the pros to name their nemesis hole at Augusta National Golf Club. The answers may make you feel better about your own game and that hole at your home course that keeps giving you fits.
No. 1. I’m probably 10 or 15 over on the first hole. [Editor's Note: He's close. Bradley is +16 on No. 1 for his career with two birdies, 17 pars, eight bogeys and five doubles.]
The first green is wild and you’re so nervous teeing off there, especially the first day but generally every day, and they just whack you with the most difficult green.
I never thought I had one. Nos. 5 and 11 are the two toughest out there. No. 1 is one of the hardest starting holes in golf. I’ve heard Tiger say give me a four at the first and I’ll go to the next tee.
No. 3. I have devastated my chances at the Master there. I tripled it in the second round after driving it right in front of the green and then played ping pong. I’ve driven it in the fairway bunker and then airmailed the green. I’m not even sure I’ve ever made a birdie there. I’ve tried different tactics and I think I’m just going to send it from now on.
The fifth hole, just the way it looks off the tee. I used to be able to hit 3-wood and get away with hitting 6- or 7-iron in there. Now, if I hit 3-wood I’ll have 4-iron in and the green isn’t built for that. If I play it 1 over for the week, I’m happy. It’s just a hole I haven’t figured out yet.
I don’t love No. 5 anymore. They’ve made it so long and I don’t know if they’ve made it better by making it longer because it’s such a crazy green. That said, I may like the old version better in part because I made a two once there, holing a 7-iron in 2017. It flew straight in the hole. I kind of miss hitting 7-iron there.
Seven always has been tricky for me. I've had plenty of success on it. It can just be a tough little drive; it’s so straight. It suits the draw better with a fairway wood. Back in the day, it was a lot shorter hole and when Tiger won, he was hitting 2-iron off the tee. You don't have that option anymore.
No. 7. For some reason, it's kicked my butt. I've hit good tee shots, but it's the second shot that gives me fits. I think I hit in the front bunker eight times in a row at one point.
No. 11 by far. It’s really hard. If you have the wind into you, you’re hitting 3-iron into that bloody hole and it’s not a 3-iron green.
No. 11. My rookie year I was tied for the lead through 10 and I dumped it in the drink at 11. I haven’t played that hole well historically.
My wife would say five, but of late it has probably been 11. The shot I despise is the front-left hole location on No. 4 from the back tee. It’s 230 yards and you have no landing zone.
I know 12 has given me some bugaboos over the years. That one sticks out as probably one that I've struggled with.
Easy, 15. I’ve played it well off the tee but spun it in the water or one-hopped it over the green and made a lot of bogeys and doubles there.
Easy to say 16. I hit in the water there when I was trying to make a run (in 2021). But I don’t think I have a “nemesis” hole.
No. 18. It was such a beast in my day. We were hitting 4- and 5-irons into the green and then green itself is hard. It was one tough hole.
If there was a nemesis, it wasn’t a hole. I didn’t birdie and eagle the par 5s enough. Length, playing a draw and a higher ball flight was beneficial with some of the hole locations or ability to get extra roll out off the tee. I didn’t have my game predicated on just Augusta.
I never had one. I respected every hole equally.
Whichever one I’m playing now. [Editor’s note: This is the same answer he gave when asked to name his favorite hole!]
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golfweek Masters Survey: Pros reveal their nemesis holes at Augusta National
Continue reading...
In the latest installment of the Golfweek/USA Today 2026 Masters Survey, we asked the pros to name their nemesis hole at Augusta National Golf Club. The answers may make you feel better about your own game and that hole at your home course that keeps giving you fits.
Keegan Bradley
No. 1. I’m probably 10 or 15 over on the first hole. [Editor's Note: He's close. Bradley is +16 on No. 1 for his career with two birdies, 17 pars, eight bogeys and five doubles.]
Adam Scott
The first green is wild and you’re so nervous teeing off there, especially the first day but generally every day, and they just whack you with the most difficult green.
Larry Mize
I never thought I had one. Nos. 5 and 11 are the two toughest out there. No. 1 is one of the hardest starting holes in golf. I’ve heard Tiger say give me a four at the first and I’ll go to the next tee.
Sahith Theegala
No. 3. I have devastated my chances at the Master there. I tripled it in the second round after driving it right in front of the green and then played ping pong. I’ve driven it in the fairway bunker and then airmailed the green. I’m not even sure I’ve ever made a birdie there. I’ve tried different tactics and I think I’m just going to send it from now on.
Harris English
The fifth hole, just the way it looks off the tee. I used to be able to hit 3-wood and get away with hitting 6- or 7-iron in there. Now, if I hit 3-wood I’ll have 4-iron in and the green isn’t built for that. If I play it 1 over for the week, I’m happy. It’s just a hole I haven’t figured out yet.
Russell Henley
I don’t love No. 5 anymore. They’ve made it so long and I don’t know if they’ve made it better by making it longer because it’s such a crazy green. That said, I may like the old version better in part because I made a two once there, holing a 7-iron in 2017. It flew straight in the hole. I kind of miss hitting 7-iron there.
Rickie Fowler
Seven always has been tricky for me. I've had plenty of success on it. It can just be a tough little drive; it’s so straight. It suits the draw better with a fairway wood. Back in the day, it was a lot shorter hole and when Tiger won, he was hitting 2-iron off the tee. You don't have that option anymore.
Gary Woodland
No. 7. For some reason, it's kicked my butt. I've hit good tee shots, but it's the second shot that gives me fits. I think I hit in the front bunker eight times in a row at one point.
Jason Day
No. 11 by far. It’s really hard. If you have the wind into you, you’re hitting 3-iron into that bloody hole and it’s not a 3-iron green.
You must be registered for see images
Ludvig Aberg
No. 11. My rookie year I was tied for the lead through 10 and I dumped it in the drink at 11. I haven’t played that hole well historically.
Zach Johnson
My wife would say five, but of late it has probably been 11. The shot I despise is the front-left hole location on No. 4 from the back tee. It’s 230 yards and you have no landing zone.
Brooks Koepka
I know 12 has given me some bugaboos over the years. That one sticks out as probably one that I've struggled with.
Wyndham Clark
Easy, 15. I’ve played it well off the tee but spun it in the water or one-hopped it over the green and made a lot of bogeys and doubles there.
Xander Schauffele
Easy to say 16. I hit in the water there when I was trying to make a run (in 2021). But I don’t think I have a “nemesis” hole.
Curtis Strange
No. 18. It was such a beast in my day. We were hitting 4- and 5-irons into the green and then green itself is hard. It was one tough hole.
Hale Irwin
If there was a nemesis, it wasn’t a hole. I didn’t birdie and eagle the par 5s enough. Length, playing a draw and a higher ball flight was beneficial with some of the hole locations or ability to get extra roll out off the tee. I didn’t have my game predicated on just Augusta.
Gary Player
I never had one. I respected every hole equally.
Jack Nicklaus
Whichever one I’m playing now. [Editor’s note: This is the same answer he gave when asked to name his favorite hole!]
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golfweek Masters Survey: Pros reveal their nemesis holes at Augusta National
Continue reading...
