Augusta National's Amen Corner & Players to Watch

Here's a look at Amen Corner, one of the most important junctures on the fabled course at Augusta National Golf Club. If negotiated successfully during the 72-hole Masters Tournament, holes 11-13 could determine who will be wearing a new green jacket on Sunday evening. We'll also look at the players who have the best chance to experience that thrill of a lifetime.

Amen Corner

2008 is a good year for anniversaries at the Masters. It's been 10 years since the second cut of rough was introduced, 20 since Sandy Lyle played the brilliant fairway bunker shot that set up a closing birdie to beat Mark Calcavecchia by a shot, and 40 since Roberto De Vicenzo's infamous scorecard gaffe. Arnold Palmer won his first green jacket half a century ago, and also in 1958, Herbert Warren Wind referred to the 11th, 12th and 13th holes as Amen Corner for the first time. Birdies are always available on this crucial stretch of holes, but most players are happy if they arrive at the 14th tee unscathed.

11th White Dogwood - 505 yards

Having just played the Masters' all-time toughest hole, competitors now face another lengthy par-4 that actually ranked the most difficult last year, playing 510 strokes over par during the four rounds. Champion Zach Johnson bogeyed the 11th on Friday and Saturday, finishing the week 2-over par for the hole. The drive became frighteningly narrow following Chairman Hootie Johnson's tree-planting program in August 2003, when 36 pines were positioned to the right of the fairway. But some were removed for last year's tournament and more are gone this year, giving players, and spectators, a little more room for comfort. The pond on the left should really only be an issue for those who hit a poor drive and attempt to force their second shot on to the putting surface, and the green itself is not one of Augusta's trickiest. But the 11th remains a severe test nevertheless.

Highest Score: 9 - Dow Finsterwald 1952, Bo Wininger 1958, William Moody 1980, Charles Howell III 2006)

Lowest Score: 2 (Jerry Barber 1962, Brad Faxon 2002, K.J. Choi 2004, Rory Sabbatini 2006)

Memorable Moment: 1987 - Local boy Larry Mize holes a 140-foot chip shot in a playoff with Greg Norman. After Seve Ballesteros had been eliminated on the first extra hole, Norman looked to be the favorite to win after his approach to the 11th landed safely on the putting surface and Mize's sailed way right. Mize's chip took an eternity to reach the cup, but when it eventually dropped and Norman failed to hole his putt, Mize was the champion.

12th Golden Bell - 155 yards

How can so short a hole as this wreak such havoc? Most of the time, players are hitting as little as an 8- or 9-iron and the green is a good 30 yards wide. But in 2007 it played .401 over its par and three more double-bogeys (30) were recorded than birdies.

The danger at this beautiful hole is really three-fold. The first problem players must take into account is the ever-swirling wind that seems to blow in, out and around this corner of the course, never really remaining stable long enough for those standing on the tee to make a confident decision over which club to hit or line to take. Secondly, while the green may be wide, it's precariously shallow, meaning the approach shot must come in high and land soft to have any chance of holding the green. Then there's menacing Rae's Creek which insidiously awaits anything coming up a hair short. It's the trickiest short-iron in the game and causes fits among world-class performers.

Highest Score: 13 - Tom Weiskopf 1980 Lowest Score: 1 - Claude Harmon 1947, William Hyndman 1959, Curtis Strange 1988

Memorable Moment: 1992 - Fred Couples's ball defies gravity and stays dry. With Floyd and Corey Pavin lurking ominously, Couples arrived at the tee with a three-shot lead and seven holes to play. Swinging as serenely as ever, the title was surely his to lose. At the 12th he did his best to throw it away when he aimed his tee shot at the pin rather than the fat of the green ("I didn't want to shoot for the pin, but there's this thing in my brain that just shoved the ball over there," Couples said afterward.) His ball hit into the bank short and started the inevitable slide back towards the creek. Unbelievably, it stopped a few inches short of the water, however, and Couples was able to chip and putt for a par. He went on to win by two.

13th Azalea - 510 yards

Augusta's most beautiful hole is really there for the taking. But anyone failing to hit the shots it demands without sufficient thought and precision will likely succumb to her seductive powers and wind up with a big number. It is not a hole where power is a prerequisite for success. That's not to say a huge, booming draw around the corner of the dogleg and a high, soft-landing approach shot won't facilitate the making of an eagle. But the shorter hitter who sensibly favors the right side of the fairway off the tee, lays up shrewdly short of the creek with his second and hits a great pitch shot below the hole can avoid any trouble and still pick up a short against par. The field averaged 4.846 here last year, making it the third easiest hole, which probably sounds grossly ironic to the three players who made triple-bogey or worse.

Highest Score: 13 - Tommy Nakajima 1978 Lowest Score: 2 - Jeff Maggert 1994

Memorable Moment: 1958 - Palmer eagles the hole to set up a one-shot victory, his first, over Doug Ford. One hole after an unsavory rules incident (Palmer and playing partner Ken Venturi had disagreed over the procedure Palmer should take after finding his ball embedded over the green), Palmer hit what Bobby Jones later called the best shot he'd seen since Gene Sarazen's holed his second at the par-5 15th in 1935. Palmer's soaring 3-wood approach landed 18 feet from the hole and the eagle putt gave him a lead he wouldn't lose, despite a bogey at the last.

Probables, Possibles and Also-Rans - 10 to Watch

Tiger Woods

Even-money with bookmakers around the world, Woods is seeking his fifth green jacket - one more than Palmer and one less than Jack Nicklaus. His swing looks better than ever, his putting stroke looks typically solid and no one wants it more than he does. How could you not pick him? Best Finish: 1st - 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005

Vijay Singh

After making big changes to his swing over the winter (it has become more upright) and with three top-three finishes already this year, the big Fijian is certainly ready for another green jacket. Few strike the ball as cleanly or powerfully as Singh, but the question mark over his putting is difficult to shift. If he rolls it well he can compete with Woods. Best Finish: 1st - 2000

Geoff Ogilvy

After a dreadful start to the season, the 2006 U.S. Open champion from Australia has shown good form in recent weeks with a win at the WGC CA Championship in Miami and a tie for second in Houston last weekend. Has the power to deal with Augusta's length and should feel comfortable if he's in contention on Sunday, having already won a major. Best Finish: T16 - 2006

Aaron Baddeley

The 27-year-old Baddeley, another Australian, is becoming a big-time player after a few years in the doldrums. A final-round 80 at last year's U.S. Open was something of a setback, but the mental scars healed quickly and on a course so different to Oakmont he won't fear final-round pressure should he find himself in the last group again. No past form at Augusta, but the course should suit Baddeley and his wonderful putting stroke. Best Finish: T52 - 2007

Stuart Appleby

One of those players you'd never pick to win a major, Appleby is nonetheless a world-class performer who'd be justifiably disappointed if he ended his career without one. At 36, he's ripe for a big win and five top-10 finishes from eight events this year suggest he's in the sort of form to spring a surprise. Best Finish: T7 - 2007

Andres Romero

With his play at the last two Open Championships (T8 at Hoylake, 3rd at Carnoustie) the 26-year-old Argentine proved he has the game to compete on the big stage. His win in New Orleans two weeks ago confirmed his game travels well, too. Plenty long enough (293.4 yards average this year), and a decent putter (36th on Tour) don't be surprised if he's in the hunt come Sunday. Best Finish: First Masters

Fred Couples

Not only will Couples be seeking to make his 24th consecutive cut at Augusta, he could conceivably become the oldest player to win as well, provided his back holds out and he carries over his good form from last week. Could it be that his tie for fourth in Houston, which included a closing 66, might inspire him to Masters glory? Best Finish: 1st - 1992

Bubba Watson

It will be interesting to see what effect Bubba's incredible driving has on Augusta. He's capable of hitting the sort of clubs into par-4s and par-5s that forced Chairman Hootie Johnson to lengthen the course, and he can certainly shape the ball as well as most. A mid-round meltdown on Saturday at Oakmont last year suggests he may not have the temperament and patience to handle the inevitable stress and pressure the Masters creates, but he'll be fun to watch. Best Finish: First Masters

Bernhard Langer

Now 50, the two-time Masters champion from Germany is perhaps too old to beat the youngsters on so demanding a course. But Langer is off to a fast start on the Champions Tour this year with two wins and five top-10s from seven tournaments, so he should be full of confidence. He still averages 284 yards off the tee, but that puts him 30-40 yards behind Woods, Watson, J.B. Holmes, and a few others, and that's just too much to give up no matter how good a short game you have. Best Finish: 1st -1985, 1993

Trip Kuehne

The eldest sibling in the family but the only one without a USGA title (brother Hank won the 1998 U.S. Amateur and sister Kelli won a U.S. Junior Girls and two U.S. Women's Amateur championships), Kuehne finally completed the set last summer when he won the US Mid-Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Having rejected the life of the touring professional, this lifetime amateur now owns a money management company in Dallas and says this year's Masters will be his last competitive tournament. Best Finish: First Masters