5 holes that make Augusta National special

2. 13th hole (“Azalea”)

The 510-yard 13th hole may be labeled a par-five, but for many players, it’s no more than a long par-four. Shape the ball around the trees on the left of the fairway and the longest hitters will be left with a short iron to the green. Miss the shot, though, and the hole becomes tricky.

A shot to the right is in danger of running through the fairway and into the pine straw. Even tee shots that find the right side of the fairway will leave an approach shot with the ball well above your feet. A tributary of Rae’s Creek guards the front of the green, awaiting any players who decide to go for the green in two but come up short.

The 13th is historically one of the easier holes at Augusta National. Last year there were nine eagles and 128 birdies made here, making it the easiest hole in the 2018 Masters. The hole has also seen its share of dramatic moments. Sergio Garcia’s par save here in 2017 after hitting his tee shot into the trees on the left became so crucial to his Masters title that he named his daughter Azalea. In 2010, Phil Mickelson hit one of the best shots in Masters history from the pine straw on the right to within five feet of the hole.

The Nelson Bridge, named in honor of Byron Nelson’s 1937 Masters victory when he made an eagle here in the final round, spans the creek and leads to the green.

Players who want to slip on the Green Jacket on Sunday will look at the 13th as a hole they must birdie, but misplay it just a little and it’ll quickly dash any Masters dreams.