Harper Lin
Golf is a sport that can be cruel, even to the best of players. While there is no maximum score in stroke play, there have been some incredible single-hole scores in elite golf. The highest score in the men's pro game is thought to be a 23 by Tommy Armour in the 1927 Shawnee Open. Other notable high scores include an 18 by John Daly in the 1998 Arnold Palmer Invitational and a 16 by Kevin Na in the 2011 Valero Texas Open. In terms of handicap and average scoring, a player's handicap is not determined by how many strokes over par they shoot on average. Instead, the maximum hole score for handicap posting purposes is limited to a net double bogey, or double bogey plus any handicap strokes based on the player's Course Handicap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Highest golf score in men's pro game | 23 by Tommy Armour in the 1927 Shawnee Open |
| Highest golf score in the French Open | 20 by Philippe Porquier in 1978 |
| Highest golf score in the Arnold Palmer Invitational | 18 by John Daly in 1998 |
| Highest golf score in the Valero Texas Open | 16 by Kevin Na in 2011 |
| Highest golf score by an amateur golfer | 10 by Tiger Woods in 2020 |
| Highest single-hole score | 165 by an unnamed golfer in the TCP Sawgrass tournament |
| Maximum Hole Score for handicap posting purposes | Limited to a net double bogey |
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What You'll Learn
Tommy Armour's 23 in 1927 Shawnee Open
Thomas Dickson "Tommy" Armour, nicknamed "The Silver Scot", was a Scottish-American professional golfer. He won three of golf's major championships: the 1927 U.S. Open, 1930 PGA Championship, and the 1931 Open Championship.
In the 1927 Shawnee Open, which took place one week after he won the U.S. Open, Tommy Armour reportedly scored a 23 on a single hole. This score of 23 on a par-5 hole was 18-over par and is considered the first-ever "Archaeopteryx" (15 or more over par). This score still stands as the highest single-hole score in PGA Tour history.
However, there is some discrepancy in the reporting of Armour's score. While some sources claim he scored a 23, others suggest it was a score in the 20s, without specifying the exact number. The New York Times, which was one of the few major papers with a reporter on the scene, mentioned that Armour scored an 11 on the seventeenth hole during the third round, which contradicts the legend of him scoring a 23.
Regardless of the exact score, Armour's performance in the 1927 Shawnee Open was lacklustre, especially compared to his recent victory at the U.S. Open. He finished the Shawnee Open at 312, in 24th place, 33 strokes behind the winner, Johnny Farrell, who scored 279.
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Philippe Porquier's 20 in 1978 French Open
While there is no official maximum score in stroke play, Philippe Porquier's 20 at the 1978 French Open remains one of the highest scores in golf history. Porquier, a pro assistant, was eyeing a birdie on the 13th hole, a par 5, when he hit a socket out-of-bounds. This was followed by another socket and yet another. The exhausted Frenchman then topped the ball, only to hit two more sockets. It was only with his 18th shot that he found relief by aiming left and socketing the ball onto the green. Two putts later, he had scored a 20, breaking the European Tour record.
Porquier's score of 20 is surpassed by only two golfers in history, Ray Ainsley and Tommy Armour, who both took 23 shots on a single hole on the American tour circuit. Armour, a three-time major winner, achieved this unwanted feat at the 1927 Shawnee Open, while Ainsley suffered his high score at the 1938 US Open.
In more recent times, Andrey Pavlov scored a 17 on the first hole at the Austria Open, the second-worst score in European Tour history. Pavlov found the water six times on the par-five first hole at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg. Similarly, Englishman Chris Gane scored a 17 on one hole at Gleneagles in 2003.
While these high scores may seem extraordinary, they are often a result of challenging course conditions or unfortunate circumstances. For elite golfers, a maximum score form of play is unlikely to be used, but it may be useful for beginners or less skilled golfers.
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John Daly's 18 in 1998 Arnold Palmer Invitational
In March 1998, John Daly produced one of the all-time highest single-hole scores ever seen in professional golf. Daly, known for doing things 'his way', was playing in the final round of the Bay Hill Invitational (now known as the Arnold Palmer Invitational) when he scored an 18 on the par-5 6th hole.
The hole, which was 543 yards long, presented a challenge as a huge lake lay between Daly and the dry land on the other side. Daly began the hole two-under for the tournament but soon lost his patience after a series of mishits. He pulled his first drive into the water, short of the green, and proceeded to send five consecutive shots into the water as well. Daly's seventh strike (counting as his 13th shot) bounced off the rocks short of the green and into the bunker. He splashed out of the sand with his 16th shot and then two-putted for an 18, bringing his score to 13-over par for the hole.
Despite this setback, Daly persevered and made a birdie-two on the par-3 7th hole. This incident showcases Daly's unique talent and mindset, which sometimes led him to take risks that resulted in remarkable successes or, in this case, unexpected challenges. Daly holds three of the top 10 worst one-hole scores in PGA Tour history, and his score of 18 at the 1998 Arnold Palmer Invitational remains the third-highest in PGA Tour history.
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Kevin Na's 16 in 2011 Valero Texas Open
In 2011, Kevin Na recorded a score of 16 on a par-4 hole at the Valero Texas Open. This score is tied for the fifth-highest single-hole score in PGA Tour history.
Na's troubles began when he hit his tee shot right, into some dense trees. He took a penalty and then, on his third stroke, produced a similar effort. He tried to play out from deep within the trees, but his shot ricocheted off a branch, hitting him and resulting in another penalty. This led to a duodecuple-bogey (12 over par) on the hole, a score that stands as a PGA Tour record.
The Valero Texas Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It has been held annually in San Antonio, Texas, since 1922 and became an official PGA Tour event in 1970. The tournament typically takes place in early April, with the 2011 edition being held from March 31 to April 3.
Kevin Na is an American professional golfer of Korean descent. He was born in 1983 and turned professional in 2001. Na has won multiple times on the PGA Tour, including the 2011 Valero Texas Open, where he shot a final-round 66 to come from behind and secure his first PGA Tour victory.
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Tiger Woods' 10 in 2020 Augusta
Tiger Woods' performance at Augusta in 2020 was a mix of triumphs and failures. While he had some impressive moments, such as finishing with five birdies in six holes, he also experienced a significant setback at the par-three 12th hole.
Woods' struggles at the 12th hole resulted in a septuple-bogey 10, the highest one-hole score of his entire career. This included finding the water three times, leading to a score of seven-over-par 10. It was a challenging day for Woods, who was dealing with a stiff back and the pressure of defending his title at Augusta. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to retain his championship, and his reign as Masters Champion came to an end.
However, Woods' resilience and determination shone through as he refused to let the septuple-bogey defeat him. He bounced back with a series of impressive shots, including a high draw around the corner and two-putted birdies at holes 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. This allowed him to climb about 20 spots on the leaderboard and improve his overall score.
While the outcome at Augusta in 2020 may not have been what Woods had hoped for, his ability to push through adversity and finish strong serves as a testament to his skill and competitive spirit. It is this unwavering determination that has defined his career and inspired fans worldwide. Despite the challenges posed by injuries and setbacks, Woods continues to embody the fighting spirit that has made him one of the legends of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The highest golf score in a professional game is thought to have been achieved by Tommy Armour, who scored a 23 in the 1927 Shawnee Open.
The maximum score for each hole played for handicap posting purposes is limited to a net double bogey, or double the par value of the hole plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to based on their handicap index.
The highest golf score on a single hole is believed to be 165, scored by a golfer who put 83 balls in the water on the 17th hole at TCP Sawgrass.
