The Masters: 5 key holes where The Masters will be won and lost
Lightning fast greens and back-nine water are just some of the challenges awaiting the PGA Tour's best players at The Masters
The Masters has produced so many incredible moments down the years, and the 2021 staging of the tournament this week is likely to be no exception.
Every hole at Augusta National presents its own unique challenge, so with that in mind, we have picked out five key holes where we believe the tournament will be won and lost come Sunday evening.
Hole 2, Par 5, 575 yards
The first of four par-5's at Augusta National, where you can make a double bogey with an errant tee shot into the trees down the left, or an albatross if you read the green correctly with your second shot - just like Louis Oosthuizen did back in 2012.
The hole doglegs to the left off the tee, and the green is guarded by receptive bunkers which can cause problems for the players who will look to hit the green in two shots.
A genuine eagle chance with a good drive. Most players will be hugely disappointed if they walk off with a par or worse here.
Hole 11, Par 4, 505 yards
Typically the toughest hole at Augusta National down the years, which starts the famous three-hole stretch known as 'Amen Corner'.
This perilous par-4 has a lake guarding the green to the left and an accompanying slope that can swallow any ball that lands short of the green.
A birdie here on this long par-4 is a welcome bonus for the players. Most players will be happy to take their par here and run to the next.
Hole 12, Par 3, 155 yards
Without doubt the most iconic par-3 hole in the world.
The green is long and narrow and is surrounded by bunkers, not to mention Rae's Creek that looms large at the front of the hole as well.
This hole has just about seen it all down the years, and has ended many a Masters challenge, none more so recently than Jordan Spieth in 2016 and Francesco Molinari in 2019.
Tiger Woods incredibly made a 10 here the last time he played the hole in November 2020.
It might only be a short iron for these players, but with a swirling wind and trouble both short and long, players will most certainly be chuffed to be writing down a 3 on this one.
Hole 13, Par 5, 510 yards
The second leg of Amen Corner is a par-5 which curls to the left and can be reached in two shots, depending on the position of the tee shot.
Bryson DeChambeau and other big hitters will likely look to send their tee shots over the top of the trees down the left side, but the sensible play is out to the right with a touch of draw to find the middle of the fairway.
Left will find the ripples in Rae's Creek, and anything bailing out to the right will find the pine trees, and likely chip out into the fairway short of the green.
The green is also guarded by Rae's Creek and provides a threat to the players who are looking for an eagle to begin their back-nine charge.
A real scoring opportunity here, but there is also potential for disaster.
Hole 15, Par 5, 530 yards
A drive down the right-hand side of the fairway is crucial on this hole which has proven to be a make-or-break stage on Sunday afternoons at The Masters. While the fairway is fairly large, anything left of the fairway will more than likely be blocked out by the trees down the left side.
It is a downhill approach from there to a green that is guarded by water at both the front and back. With a shaved slope short of the green, even a third shot with a wedge to this green is no bargain.
An accurate approach to the putting surface is always met by loud cheers from the patrons.
It's a real eagle chance, but similar to the par-5 13th, this hole is also fraught with danger.
