What are the worst rounds in Masters history?

What are the worst rounds in Masters history?

A list on which no golfer wants to find themselves on – these are the worst rounds in Masters history…

The Masters is the world’s most prestigious golf tournament, and having the chance to play in it is every golfer’s dream. However, when that dream becomes a reality, not every golfer can tame Augusta National when it starts to show its teeth.

There have been some colossal collapses over the years, including Greg Norman in 1996, Rory McIlroy in 2011, and Jordan Spieth in 2016. But while those rounds destroyed those particular players’ Green Jacket ambitions in those years, none of their rounds even come close to being among the worst rounds in Masters history.

Before we get into the official worst rounds of golf ever recorded at Augusta National – what about the one that wasn’t?

Billy Casper, the 1970 champion, was playing in his final Masters in 2005 when he needed 106 strokes to get round Augusta – which, by this point, had been Tiger-proofed.

Casper, who was 73 at the time, ensured his century-breaking round would not be entered into the record books by withdrawing before signing his card.

So, who officially holds the record?

That honor is bestowed on Charlie Kunkle, who finished his only Masters appearance in 1956 with a 95 in the final round.

Kunkle is not the only player to fail to break 90 at the Masters.

The most recent of those was during the opening round of the 89th Masters in 2025 when Nick Dunlap carded a 90 which, impressively, had no three-putts.

Kunkle, Dunlap, and amateur Frank Souchak are the only players who were younger than 50 at the time to card a round in the 90s during the Masters. Indeed, Dunlap was only 21 when it happened.

The stats make grim reading, too. Here are Dunlap’s Strokes Gained – or should that be Strokes Lost?- from his opening round at the 2025 Masters:

• Off the tee: -4.85
• Approach: -6.54
• Around the green: -3.42
• Putting: -1.39
• Overall: -16.19

Former champions to have carded rounds in the 90s include Ben Crenshaw in 2015. The then 63-year-old opened his final spin around Augusta with a 91.

Tommy Aaron, who triumphed in 1973, carded a 92 in the opening round of the 2003 Masters, while Doug Ford, the 1957 champion, signed for a 94 in 1997.

Ford is one of three players on the list twice, having also done it at the 2000 Masters.

Horton Smith is another, having carded a 92 in 1962 and a 91 the following year, while amateur Chick Evans, the 1916 US Open champion, was in his late 60s by the time the 1959 and 1960 Masters came around. He carded a 90 in the first and a 91 a year later and missed the cut both times.

Worst rounds in Masters History

• 95: Charlie Kunkle (1956)
• 94: Doug Ford (1997)
• 94: Doug Ford (2000)
• 92: Horton Smith (1962)
• 92: Tommy Aaron (2003)
• 91: Ben Crenshaw (2015)
• 91: Horton Smith (1963)
• 91: Chick Evans* (1960)
• 91: Fred McLeod (1955)
• 90: Nick Dunlap (2025)
• 90: Chick Evans* (1959)
• 90: Jock Hutchison (1956)
• 90: Frank Souchak* (1954)

* Indicates amateur status

Other unwanted records at Augusta

Highest First Nine

49: Charles Kunkle (4th round, 1956)

Highest Second Nine

49: Jess Sweetser (1st round, 1936); Richard D. Chapman (4th round, 1955); Tony Manero (1st round, 1955); Frank Conner (1st round, 1982)

Highest 72 Holes

340 (78-82-85-95): Charles Kunkle (1956)

And while they can’t be filed under the worst rounds of golf in Masters history, the highest winning score at Augusta is a 1-over-par 289 – achieved by Sam Snead (1954), Jack Burke Jr (1956), and Zach Johnson (2007).

Sam Snead (1952) also recorded the highest ever round by an eventual champion with a 77. This was later matched by Nick Faldo (1989).

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods first-nine 40 in 1997 was the worst start by an eventual champion at the Masters. At one point, it looked like he may have made it onto our list, but instead, he recovered with a second-nine 30 and went on to win by 12 shots. As you do…

• What are the best rounds of golf in Masters history?