The 15th hole, a year after it played to a record-high scoring average of 5.137 in the second round, was only slightly easier in Thursday’s opening round of this Masters, yielding a 5.121 clip.
Drive with Precision: Seventh hole holds field to just two birdies in opening round
The par-4 7th hole made it nearly impossible for players to finish their first nine unscathed at Augusta National Thursday. The 450-yard "Pampas" registered two birdies and witnessed nearly three dozen bogeys. In this "Mercedes-Benz Drive with Precision," the Live From crew breaks down why the field suffered so much to hit the fairway here.
Up Next
TOP HEADLINES
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
McIlroy (67): Desire to win the Masters still very much there
Just because he's won the Masters doesn't mean Rory McIlroy doesn't want — badly — to win it again. He talks after his opening-round 67 at Augusta National.
Up Next
GOLFPASS FEATURED
Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, reiterated the importance of sensible golf equipment regulation in his 2026 Masters press conference.
We scoured our GolfPass reviews to find courses that remind YOU of Augusta National.
This company is bringing simulator golf to major championships and America’s most prominent resort.
Learn from the best golfers and instructors in the world and enjoy benefits that golfers love.
LATEST
Berger has held a big lead since the opening round, but is now being chased by Askshay Bhatia entering the final round.
Scottie Scheffler birdied five of six shots on his back nine at Bay Hill on Saturday but a slow start left the world’s top-ranked player at even on the tournament through 54 holes. Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka and Cameron Young enjoyed the best third rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational but Daniel Berger’s lead remains unblemished as the four-time Tour winner seeks a wire-to-wire title.
Sepp Straka shot 6-under 66 Saturday at Bay Hill to get closer to leader Daniel Berger in the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational. See how it did it in Golf Central’s Penske Moving Day.
Blades Brown and John Daly II are among those chasing Ricky Castillo entering the final round of the 2026 Puerto Rico Open. Watch the best from Saturday’s action!
Akshay Bhatia is closing in on the lead at Bay Hill Club and Lodge entering the final day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 24-year-old Bhatia spoke to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis about his birdies on 15 and 16, and what he’s doing to doing to prepare for 20 holes of golf Sunday.
Daniel Berger is 13-under par — even for the third round —with a two-shot lead was almost certain to grow when he returns for an eagle putt attempt Sunday morning. Akshay Bhatia was 11 under with a daunting 20-hole finish at Bay Hill on the horizon.
Ricky Castillo posted a bogey-free round of 4-under 68 in strong wind Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round.
Daly, the son of legendary pro John Daly, enters Sunday at the Puerto Rico Open three shots back, something he couldn’t have done a couple years ago when he was a “bad driver of the golf ball” and battling his swing.
Jordan Spieth couldn’t find his ball in the rough at the 12th hole Saturday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and nearby fans helped him search for and eventually find it.
Rory McIlroy withdrew Saturday before his third-round tee time at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Todd Lewis reports on his “lower back” injury.