What’s the Augusta National course record?
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It’s one of the toughest test in golf, but what is the Augusta National course record – both in the Masters and for the members – and who holds them?
Augusta National challenges the best golfers in the world in ways that few other courses in the world can.
With huge slopes, massive elevation changes and treacherous greens, not to mention the unpredictable weather that often arrives during the week of the Masters, players have to be on their A-game to tame this relentless behemoth.
But it can be done.
Who holds the Augusta National course record in the Masters?
To date, nobody has done it better than Nick Price and Greg Norman.
The golfing greats hold the course record and are the only two players to navigate the par-72 layout in just 63 shots.
Three-time major champion Price was the first to achieve the feat, eclipsing the 64 Lloyd Mangrum posted in 1940 with his third round in 1986.
And the Zimbabwean got off to the worst possible start. But they do say the best rounds start with a bogey, and that rang true for Price.
Price recovered with birdies at the second, fifth, sixth and eighth holes to reach the turn at 3-under before going on a tear.
Six birdies in seven holes from the 10th got him to 9-under for the day and he completed his historic round with pars at 17 and 18.
Making it all the more impressive, Price’s caddie Dave McNeilly was sporting an epic hangover while the birdies were flooding in.
After just making the cut, this vaulted Price up the leaderboard and into a tie for second, one shot behind Norman.
And although he wouldn’t go on to clinch the Green Jacket as Jack Nicklaus soared through the field to win the 18th and final major of his career, he still left with his own slice of history.
Price held the record on his own until Norman matched him in the first round of the infamous 1996 Masters.
The Australian looked unbeatable after three rounds and started the final day with a six-shot lead, but a Sunday collapse saw him finish five shots behind eventual winner Nick Faldo.
Other players have threatened to join Price and Norman but all have fallen short. Despite being a five-time champion, Tiger Woods’ best round at Augusta is a 65.
Course specialist Jordan Spieth came closest in 2018. Attempting to chase down Patrick Reed, the Texan arrived on the 18th tee in the final round needing a birdie to shoot 10-under and, as it would transpire, tie Reed’s winning total.
However, Spieth, ever the entertainer, sent his drive into the trees on the left, leaving him unable to reach the green in two. He recovered to give himself a chance for par but his six-footer slipped agonisingly by and he signed for a 64.
Which member holds the Augusta National course record?
Away from the tournament, Jeff Knox holds the Augusta course record.
Knox, who is better known as the former Masters marker who once beat Rory McIlroy, carded an 11-under 61.
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Nick Price still holds the Augusta National course record for the Masters - though he has since been joined by Greg Norman.
