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Masters Lowest Score Records | Best Rounds Ever at Augusta National

Augusta National is one of the most demanding courses on the planet — and yet elite players have posted historic low scores there for decades. From Nick Price's 1986 third-round 63 to Dustin Johnson's dominant -20 in 2020, the scoring records at Augusta National tell the story of the game's greatest performances under major championship pressure.

72-Hole Masters Tournament Records

Note: Dustin Johnson's 2020 record was set in November under softer Augusta conditions. All other records were set in April.

Masters Single-Round Records

The 63: Why It's So Hard at Augusta

The single-round record of 63 at Augusta has stood since 1996 — 30 years. Here's why:

• Fast, contoured greens: Augusta's putting surfaces are among the fastest on the PGA Tour, and the slopes are severe. A three-putt at the wrong moment can ruin a record round. Nick Price nearly made every putt he looked at in 1986; Greg Norman was equally inspired in 1996.
• Par-5 eagle requirement: To shoot 63 (-9), a player essentially needs to eagle at least one par 5 and birdie every other scoreable hole. The back nine par 5s (13 and 15) are reachable, but guarded by water.
• Back-nine pressure: Amen Corner (11–13) and holes 15–16 feature water hazards that punish any slight error. Maintaining an exceptional round through the back nine requires mental and physical precision that is genuinely rare.
• Pin positions: Augusta's Sunday pin placements are among the most sadistic in golf. Thursday positions are typically more accessible, which explains why single-round low records often come in R1 or R2.

Tiger Woods' 1997 Record Round

Tiger Woods' performance at the 1997 Masters deserves special mention. After a poor front nine in Round 1 (40 shots), Tiger closed with a 30 on the back nine. From Round 2 onward, he was virtually untouchable:

• Rounds 2–4: 66-65-69 = 200 (the three-round stretch was the lowest of the week)
• Winning margin: 12 shots — the largest margin of victory in Masters history
• 72-hole total: 270 (-18) — stood as the tournament record for 23 years until Dustin Johnson (2020)
• Age: 21 years, 3 months — youngest Masters champion at the time

Tiger's 1997 Masters is widely considered the single most dominant performance in major championship history. See Tiger's full major record →

Dustin Johnson's 2020 Record

Dustin Johnson's 2020 Masters remains the benchmark for 72-hole scoring at Augusta. The November conditions — softer turf, slower greens, calmer weather — made Augusta play significantly easier than typical April conditions. Johnson's rounds of 65-70-65-68 (268, -20) were historically consistent:

• Never made a double bogey in the entire tournament
• No 3-putt greens — exceptional on Augusta's lightning surfaces
• Won by 5 shots over Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith
• Key caveat: Most Augusta historians note that the November conditions (firmer fairways but softer greens vs. typical April firm-and-fast setup) make direct comparison difficult. Johnson's record is legitimate, but April scoring averages run ~2–3 strokes higher per round.

Notable Consecutive Low-Round Sequences

Will the Records Fall at the 2026 Masters?

The 72-hole record of -20 (268) set in November conditions is unlikely to be threatened in a normal April Masters. However:

• April record: -18 (270), set by Tiger (1997) and Spieth (2015), is more vulnerable. Scheffler shot -16 in 2024 in difficult conditions — a week with favorable weather could see someone flirt with -17 or -18.
• Single-round record: The 63 has stood since 1996. A round of 62 at Augusta in competition would be one of the most astonishing scores in major championship history. Possible — but very unlikely even for the best players in the world.
• Key factor: April weather. Windy Sundays are Augusta's great equalizer. Calm conditions throughout the week are required for record-threatening totals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest score ever at the Masters?

The lowest 72-hole score in Masters history is 268 (-20), posted by Dustin Johnson in November 2020. The tournament was rescheduled due to COVID-19 and played in fall conditions, which made Augusta play significantly easier than typical April weather. In April Masters editions, the record is 270 (-18), shared by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015).

Who shot 63 at Augusta?

Two players hold the Masters single-round record of 63 (-9): Nick Price (third round, 1986) and Greg Norman (first round, 1996). Both rounds are among the most celebrated in Masters history. Norman's 63 in 1996 gave him a 6-shot lead — but he infamously collapsed in the final round to lose to Nick Faldo by 5. The 63 has not been matched or broken in the nearly 30 years since Norman's round.

What is the course record at Augusta National?

In competitive Masters play, the course record is 63, held by Nick Price (1986) and Greg Norman (1996). Augusta National does not officially track casual/practice round scores, so the competitive record is the most commonly cited figure. The 63 is equivalent to 9-under par on the par-72 course.

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