Jackson Reid
Golf is a challenging sport, and even the most seasoned professionals can have a bad day. The worst golf score is a relative concept, depending on the number of holes played and the player's skill level. For instance, a beginner might be proud of a score of 106, while a professional would consider it abysmal. Some notable worst scores include J.D. Tucker's 157 in the 1898 U.S. Open and Willie Anderson's total of 331 over 72 holes in the 1901 tournament. In terms of single-hole scores, archaeopteryx refers to scoring 15 or more over par, with some professionals racking up scores like 16 and even 17 on a single hole. So, while golf can be a difficult game, it's comforting to know that even the pros sometimes struggle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Worst single-hole score in the history of men's professional golf | 23 shots on one hole by Tommy Armour (unofficial) or 17 shots by Andrey Pavlov |
| Worst single-hole score in PGA Tour history | 16 shots over par by a PGA Tour winner at RBC Canadian Open |
| Worst U.S. Open round | 157 shots by J.D. Tucker in 1898 |
| Worst second-round score in U.S. Open history | 106 shots by W.E. Stoddard in 1899 |
| Worst third-round score in U.S. Open history | 110 shots by O. McCammon in 1899 |
| Worst fourth-round score in U.S. Open history | 116 shots by O. McCammon in 1899 |
| Worst official score by a golfer labelled the 'world's worst golfer' | 121 by Maurice Flitcroft (aka Arnold Palmtree) |
| Worst fourth-round score at the Masters | 95 by Charles Kunkel in 1956 |
| Worst score by a golfer in a club championship | 125 |
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What You'll Learn
Worst single-hole scores in men's professional golf
Golf is a challenging sport that can test even the most seasoned professionals. While we often hear about players achieving impressive birdies and eagles, there have also been some less-than-stellar moments on the course. Here's a look at some of the worst single-hole scores in men's professional golf:
John Daly's Nightmares
John Daly, a two-time major winner, has had his fair share of challenges on the course. During the 1998 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Daly took 18 shots to complete Bay Hill's par-5 6th hole. Six of his balls landed in the water, resulting in a card-wrecking 13-over. In the same tournament, on the 16th hole, he scored an 18, with seven shots and seven penalty strokes.
Kevin Na's Troubles
Kevin Na had a challenging time during the 2011 Valero Texas Open at the AT&T Oaks Course. On the 9th hole, he drove into the trees and took an unplayable lie, only to find the same spot with his next shot. His third shot hit a tree, bounced off his leg, and resulted in a penalty. This hole is considered one of the worst single-hole performances in PGA Tour history.
The Infamous "Archaeopteryx"
In the 1927 Shawnee Open, Tommy Armour, also known as the Silver Scot, recorded the first-ever "Archaeopteryx," a single-hole score of 15 or more over par. While there are varying accounts of the event, it is believed that Armour may have struck 10 consecutive drives out of bounds. This score has sparked debates about its official status due to the lack of consistent reports.
Other Notable Mentions
Over the years, several other professionals have had their struggles. Bayer, a four-time PGA Tour winner, scored a 17 on the 17th hole at Seneca Golf Club in the 1957 Kentucky Derby Open. Andrey Pavlov racked up a score of 17 at the Lyoness Open. Oliver, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, scored a 16 on the treacherous par-3 16th hole at Cypress Point in the 1954 Bing Crosby Pro-Am. During the 1978 French Open, Philippe Porquier suffered a case of the shanks on the 13th hole at La Baule Golf Club.
While these golfers may have had their low moments, they also had many impressive achievements throughout their careers. Golf can be a humbling sport, and even the best players experience challenging holes that test their skills and patience.
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Worst single-hole scores in PGA Tour history
Golf is a notoriously difficult game, and even the professionals can have a bad day. Here are some of the worst single-hole scores in PGA Tour history:
John Daly
John Daly has made some big scores during his PGA Tour career. The former Open champion has had his fair share of disastrous holes, including during the 1998 Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he took 18 shots to get the ball in the hole at Bay Hill's par-5 6th. Daly hit six balls into the water, and understandably, he was raging. He also scored an 18 on the 16th hole at Bay Hill in the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational. Daly hit five consecutive shots into the water, and after finally clearing the water, his ball embedded into a bank, forcing him to drop it again.
Tommy Armour
Tommy Armour, also known as the Silver Scot, is famous for his three major championship wins. However, he also holds the record for the first-ever "Archaeopteryx," a single-hole score of 15 or more over par. At the 1927 Shawnee Open, Armour scored an 18-over-par 23 on the par-5 17th hole. While some reports claim he struck 10 consecutive drives out of bounds, others suggest he suffered a case of the yips on the green. It is important to note that official records for single-hole scores only go back to 1983, casting some doubt on the official nature of Armour's score.
George Bayer
George Bayer, a former football player, was known for his temper. At the 1957 Kentucky Derby Open, Bayer intentionally played poorly after his request to withdraw was denied by the tour. On the par-4 17th hole, Bayer used a 7-iron to chip the ball off the tee and continued to do so up the hole. His unsportsmanlike conduct resulted in a 30-day suspension, later reduced to a fine and probation period.
Kevin Na
Kevin Na holds the most recent high score on a single hole, carding a 16 at the ninth hole of the 2011 Valero Texas Open.
Others
Other notable mentions include Oliver, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, who scored a 16 on the treacherous par-3 16th hole at Cypress Point in the 1954 Bing Crosby Pro-Am. Additionally, McCord scored a 16 at the par-5 16th hole at Colonial Country Club in the 1986 FedEx St. Jude Classic. Andrey Pavlov also racked up a score of 17 at the Lyoness Open in 2015, finding the water six times.
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Worst U.S. Open scores
Golf is a challenging sport, and even the best players can have a bad round. The U.S. Open, first played in 1895, is known for its difficult courses, and over the years, there have been some notable low scores.
The worst U.S. Open round in history took place in 1898 when J.D. Tucker shot a 157 for 18 holes at the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. This remains the highest score ever recorded in an opening round. The weather played a role in this high score, as a gale caused scores to rise.
The highest-scoring second round of all time at the U.S. Open was recorded in 1899 by W.E. Stoddard, who shot a 106 on the Roland Park Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The same year, O. McCammon recorded the highest third-round score of 110 at the same course. McCammon also holds the record for the highest fourth-round score, shooting a 116 at Roland Park in 1899.
In 1901, Stewart Gardner recorded the highest score after 54 holes or three rounds, with a total of 249 (86-82-81). That year, Willie Anderson won the U.S. Open with a total score of 331 over 72 holes or four rounds, the highest winning score in U.S. Open history.
The U.S. Open has continued to challenge golfers, with 48 players participating in recent years. The tough courses and weather conditions have resulted in high scores, with the cut line as high as +15 in 1955.
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Worst golf scores of all time
Golf is a challenging sport, and even the most seasoned professionals can have a bad day on the course. Here are some of the worst golf scores of all time:
Single-Hole Scores
The worst single-hole scores in the history of men's professional golf have occurred on some of the most prestigious tours. At the 1986 FedEx St. Jude Classic, a former pro and commentator, Gary McCord, scored a 16 on the par-5 16th hole at Colonial Country Club. McCord hit five consecutive 4-irons into the water before switching to a 3-iron and making a 25-foot putt. Another notable mention is John Daly, who scored an 18 on the 16th hole at Bay Hill in the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational. Daly's score included seven shots into the water and seven penalty strokes.
Tournament Scores
When it comes to tournament scores, there have been some infamously high totals. In the 1901 U.S. Open, Willie Anderson recorded the highest winning score, totalling 331 strokes over 72 holes or four rounds. Moving away from professional golf, some amateur golfers have also had their fair share of struggles. One individual named Angelo scored a remarkable 257, which included a 66 on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, with 27 balls landing in the water.
PGA Tour Scores
The PGA Tour has witnessed some challenging rounds, with players like Na at the 2011 Valero Texas Open scoring a 14 on a par 4, and Gary McCord, who, in addition to his single-hole woes, scored a 75 and a 70 in separate rounds during a tournament. These scores may not be the absolute worst, but they certainly stand out as low points for these golfers.
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Worst golf scores by amateurs
Golf is a challenging sport that requires practice and precision. While professionals strive for scores of 69-70 on an 18-hole course, amateurs have a different benchmark for success. A good golf score for an amateur player is generally considered to be around 90-100 points. Most amateur golfers score over 90 points, averaging one more hit than par for each hole, known as a bogey.
However, some amateurs have struggled to meet even the most lenient standards. One infamous example is a golfer named Angelo, who reportedly scored a total of 257. On the 17th hole alone, he scored an astonishing 66, dumping 27 balls into the water. His career-low score of 111 is a stark illustration of his golfing prowess.
While it is unclear whether Angelo's score of 257 is the highest ever recorded for an amateur, it certainly stands out as a remarkable example of golfing ineptitude. It is worth noting that a score of 120 points or higher is generally considered a bad score for an amateur on an 18-hole course.
Ultimately, a "good" score in golf is relative to the player's experience and goals. For beginners, any score below 120 on an 18-hole course is impressive, and if you can achieve 115 or fewer strokes, you're truly excelling. On a 9-hole course, beginners should aim for 60 points or fewer.
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Frequently asked questions
The worst golf score in U.S. Open history was recorded by Willie Anderson, who scored 331 over 72 holes in the 1901 tournament.
The worst score in a single hole is 23, recorded by Tommy Armour, also known as the Silver Scot. This is also the first instance of an "archaeopteryx", which refers to scoring 15 or more over par on a single hole.
The highest-scoring round in U.S. Open history was in 1898 when J.D. Tucker shot a 157 in the first round at the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.
The worst golf score on the PGA Tour was recorded by Charles Kunkel, who scored 95 in the fourth round of the 1956 Masters.
The world's worst golfer, Maurice Flitcroft (alias Arnold Palmtree), tricked organisers into believing he was a pro golfer and scored 121 in a qualifying round in 1976.
