Overview
- Justin Thomas praised Augusta National’s 3rd hole as golf’s best short par-4 and said a solid tee shot can still lead to a big number because of tricky lies and a demanding green.
- The 3rd plays about 350 yards and ranked 15th in difficulty in 2025 with a 3.909 average, as a pear-shaped green with a steep front slope turns simple looks into awkward pitches and putts.
- Augusta left the 3rd unchanged for 2026 and instead added 10 yards to the 17th, reinforcing that setup choices can shift scoring without touching classic designs.
- Historic swings on No. 3 underline its volatility, from Charl Schwartzel’s eagle in 2011 to Tiger Woods’ double bogey in 2003.
- Rory McIlroy arrives as the defending champion after completing the career grand slam last year, putting extra focus on how Augusta’s shortest par-4 can shape early momentum.