On that Saturday, Toms aced the 15th hole — a nearly impossible par 3 — en route to a 65 that propelled him to a two-shot lead over Phil Mickelson. Toms had played 37 rounds in the PGA Championship since, and never matched that score — until Saturday.
“Definitely someof the toughest I’ve ever played.”Holes 15 to 18 at Atlanta Athletic Club have played anaverage of 1.32 strokes over par through the first three rounds.The par-3 15th hole and par-4 18th hole have yielded the fewestbirdies on the course and the most scores above par.“Dufner has navigated the four-hole closing stretch withmore success than any player, at 3 under par, with three birdiesand no bogeys. The stretch starts with the par-3 15th hole, which hasplayed as long as 260 yards from an elevated tee to an angledgreen protected by water in front and to the right.The 16th hole is a 476-yard par-4 that doglegs to the rightand climbs to a raised green surrounded by deep bunkers.The 17th is another long par-3 that plays over water whilethe finishing par-4 is a converted par-5 that stretches as longas 507 yards. There have been 37 double bogeys and 16 “others”-- triple-bogeys or worse -- through three rounds.Triple-Bogeys or WorseThe most “others” scored on any hole over four rounds onthe U.S. PGA Tour since 1983 was 22 at Royal Troon Golf Club’s11th hole during the 1997 British Open.“There’s no bailout onthat hole. Donald, one of 19 players under par entering the finalround, agreed with Schwartzel that the last four holes likelywill decide the championship. Dufner hasn’t won on thePGA Tour.“