Golfers Aim to Shatter Masters Scoring Record

Experts say a 59 at Augusta National is highly unlikely, but players still dream of the feat.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:16am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing and the Augusta National Golf Club course in fragmented, overlapping planes of vibrant greens, browns, and blues, conceptually representing the immense challenge of the Masters Tournament.The Masters' legendary difficulty continues to inspire golfers to dream of the ultimate scoring achievement, even as experts remain doubtful of a 59 or lower ever being attained.Augusta Today

With the 2026 Masters Tournament approaching, golf experts are weighing in on the possibility of a player shooting a 59 or lower at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club. While many agree that such a low score is highly improbable given the course's difficulty, some top players still hold out hope of achieving the historic feat.

Why it matters

The Masters is considered one of the most challenging tournaments in professional golf, with Augusta National's treacherous greens and hazards making low scores extremely rare. A 59 or lower would shatter the course record and cement the player's place in golfing lore, but many doubt such a score is realistically achievable.

The details

In a recent interview, former major champion Brooks Koepka expressed skepticism about the possibility of a 59 at the Masters, noting the course's tight fairways, thick rough, and slick putting surfaces make it an immense challenge to go that low. However, some players remain optimistic, believing that perfect conditions and an exceptional round could potentially result in golf's holy grail of a sub-60 score.

  • The 2026 Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 9-12, 2026.

The players

Brooks Koepka

A four-time major champion who has expressed doubts about the feasibility of shooting a 59 at the Masters.

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What they’re saying

“It's just so hard to do. The greens are so fast, the rough is so thick, the fairways are so narrow. I just don't see it happening, to be honest with you.”

— Brooks Koepka, Professional Golfer

The takeaway

While the prospect of a 59 or lower at the Masters remains highly unlikely, the allure of golf's ultimate scoring achievement continues to captivate players and fans alike. The challenge of conquering Augusta National's renowned difficulty is what makes the potential feat so tantalizing, even if experts remain skeptical of its realistic possibility.