“Herb, obviously, was a good friend. I think it was probably aptly named, too,” said six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus.
“Has it been 50 years since they coined the name? Wow,” defending champ Zach Johnson added.
‘Wow’ is probably a good way to describe the dramatic trio of holes which include the 505-yard, par 4 11th hole, the 155-yard, par 3 12th and the 510-yard, par 5 13th.
Wind first used the term in his April 21, 1958 wrap-up of the Tournament, recalling an old jazz tune, “Shoutin’ in that Amen Corner.”
Those who have won the Masters title and those who have fallen just short certainly have strong memories of the holes.
“They should call it ‘A-pain Corner’ instead of ‘Amen Corner’,” says 2000 champion Vijay Singh.
That’s coming from a former champion, who said he loves the recent lengthening changes on the second nine and can happily recount how he survived a water ball on No. 11 and a tricky up and down in his 2000 victory.
England’s Lee Westwood saw first hand how quickly fortunes can change for the worse at Amen Corner.
“In 1999, I’m playing pretty well and then I double bogey No. 11 and bogey No. 12,” he said.
“It may have been an hour to play those holes, but I was out of the tournament in just a matter of minutes. I was done.”
Westwood could never overcome that opening day 75, despite three stellar rounds which followed, and finished tied for sixth , his best Masters finish so far.
Paul Casey, another English player, has good opening memories of his first Tournament in 2004, before learning to appreciate the true greatness of Amen Corner.
“I certainly remember my first year because I almost holed it Friday on No. 12, it was just a matter of inches.
“That would have been nice because I don’t know if anybody had ever done that (three players have). No, 12 is certainly the world’s best par 3.”
Casey said he learned to appreciate the solitude and beauty the holes offer.
“No. 13 (tee) is so nice and peaceful. There is a delay in time of hearing the cheers there. It’s just a nice quiet area to think.”
He also has never forgotten the Amen Corner welcome.
“I just love the way the patrons stand to their feet to applaud you coming to the 12th tee. If that doesn’t give you a thrill, nothing will.”
While Casey is playing in his fourth Masters and Nicklaus played in more than 40 before retiring from active competition, both said judging the wind was vital to any success.
“You wait for the wind on No. 11 to hit your tee shot on No. 12. That’s what I was told to do and I still do it,” Casey said.
“My experiences at Amen Corner probably started the first year that I played. When I watched a guy I was playing with, he hit a 6 iron to number 12,” Nicklaus recalled.
“It got (barely) halfway across the water, and I hit my 7 iron and almost knocked it into Augusta Country Club (located next door). That stood out with me with the wind.”
Nicklaus said the drama of the holes his friend Wind coined has been what makes the trio memorable today.
“If you look at a stretch on the front nine of four, five and six, people never talk about it. It doesn't have the excitement of Amen Corner.
“I've had times where I've hit it in the water. I've watched other fellas hit it in the water. I've watched the Tournament change hands dramatically.”
Jim Furyk said most players apply the ‘do no harm’ theory when it comes to the holes.
“I’ve never had a big blowup there, but I’ve never won either.”
Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw has endured and enjoyed both at Amen Corner.
“You can score and then give it back. I made my birdies there, but I’ve made at least one eight on No. 12. That was so painful.”
Four-time champion Tiger Woods said for all the televised drama the holes are even tougher in person.
“It’s one of the more challenging three holes I think you’ll ever play.”
Regardless, the 2008 Masters participants will challenge the 50th anniversary of Amen Corner with the same fear and reverence, hoping their play at the trio gives them a prayer of Masters victory.
