Couples doesn't survive Amen Corner this time

By Henry Unger

hunger@ajc.com

AUGUSTA -- Eighteen years ago, Fred Couples hit the same shot to the same 12th-hole pin placement that he did on Sunday -- and his ball landed in virtually the same spot.

Instead of settling precariously in the first cut, allowing him to win the tournament, Couples' ball this time rolled into Rae's Creek. e

On Sunday, he double-bogeyed the hole, becoming another victim to legendary "Amen Corner," where Masters winners are made or broken at No. 11, 12 and 13.

Couples' arrival at Amen Corner looked promising: Two standing ovations for the 50-year-old veteran. He was 10-under at the time, trailing the leaders by only two shots.

When he left the area, he was 8-under and out of contention.

Applause, even prayers, often fall short at Amen Corner. The terrain of the three holes is full of challenges -- water, sand traps and tricky contours -- attracting thousands of fans. One of them Sunday was Florida football coach Urban Meyer, who watched the action for several hours.

The name for the three holes was first used by author Herbert Warren Wind in his April 21, 1958, Sports Illustrated article about the Masters that year. He explained that he was looking for a catchy phrase, similar to baseball's "hot corner," to describe the site of critical action.

While Couples faltered at Amen Corner, Masters winner Phil Mickelson made a big move there. He birdied holes 12 and 13, increasing his lead over Lee Westwood.

As a group, the last five players coming through Amen Corner ended the three holes with five bogeys, four birdies and six pars.

For fans, it's one of the best places to watch the action.

"I've always heard about it before I started coming four years ago," Dan Ponder of Donalsonville said. "Beautiful weather. Beautiful flowers. It kind of captures the essence of the Masters."

Ponder watched Retief Goosen hit it in the creek at No. 13 and Sergio Garcia do it on No. 12.

"The creek obviously adds an element of risk,"Ponder said.

Kenrick Nixon of Baton Rouge, La., attended his first Masters and took his first look at Amen Corner this week, and wasn't disappointed.

"I heard about Amen Corner and wanted to see it," Nixon said. " It's terrific. It's God's country. Barely got a pine straw out of place."