Two Golfers Post 9 on Masters 15th Hole

Disastrous performances on Augusta's iconic par-3 15th hole mar opening round of 2026 tournament.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:56am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the 15th hole at Augusta National Golf Club, with overlapping planes of green fairway, sand traps, and water hazards, conceptually representing the challenges faced by professional golfers on this iconic hole.The iconic 15th hole at Augusta National proved treacherous for two top golfers, exposing the unforgiving nature of the Masters Tournament.Augusta Today

Two high-profile golfers, Keegan Bradley of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, both posted a score of 9 on the 15th hole during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. The 15th hole, known as Firethorn, is one of the most famous and challenging par-3 holes in golf.

Why it matters

The 15th hole at Augusta National is considered one of the most iconic and treacherous holes in professional golf. Posting a high score on this hole can derail a golfer's chances of contending for the prestigious Masters title, making these performances particularly noteworthy.

The details

Both Bradley and McIlroy found trouble on the 15th hole, with their tee shots finding the water hazard in front of the green. After taking penalty strokes, they were unable to recover, resulting in the rare and embarrassing 9 on their scorecards.

  • The incidents occurred during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament on April 9, 2026.

The players

Keegan Bradley

An American professional golfer who has won several PGA Tour events, including the 2011 PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy

A professional golfer from Northern Ireland who has won multiple major championships, including the 2011 U.S. Open and 2014 Open Championship.

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What they’re saying

“I actually had a perfect yardage,”

— Rory McIlroy

The takeaway

The 15th hole at Augusta National continues to be a major challenge for even the best golfers in the world, as evidenced by these high-profile blunders. These incidents serve as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Masters tournament and the importance of maintaining composure on the course.