The Hogan Bridge At Augusta National

The Hogan Bridge at Augusta National is one of the most photographed sights during The Masters (opens in new tab) as it is the footbridge that takes golfers to the green on the famous 12th hole.

It is made of stone and crosses Rae’s Creek. As it is arched, it is laid with artificial turf to help players wearing studs to get a better grip. It was named the Hogan Bridge after Ben Hogan. The dedication ceremony was on the same day as that of the Nelson Bridge (opens in new tab) - April 2, 1958.

A plaque was unveiled which is embedded in the ground at the entrance to the bridge. The dedication on it reads:

“This bridge dedicated April 2, 1958, to commemorate Ben Hogan's record score for four rounds of 274 in 1953 made up of rounds of 70, 69, 66 and 69. This score will always stand as one of the very finest accomplishments in competitive golf and may even stand for all time as the record for The Masters tournament.”

Hogan’s 14 under 274 had eclipsed the previous Masters best four round total by five strokes.

This record had been established by Ralph Guldahl who had carded 72, 68, 70 and 69 for a 279 total and a one-shot victory over Sam Snead. Guldhal’s record was then equalled by Claude Harmon in 1948 with rounds of 70, 70, 69 and 70. Harmon had outclassed the field by five strokes. It was to be his only tour victory.

Harmon had needed to par the final three holes to take the record. But on the par-3 16th his tee shot ended up short and, after a poor chip on, he two putted. Augusta’s official view that Hogan‘s 274 ‘may even stand for all time as the record’ became outdated in 1965 when a 25-year-old Jack Nicklaus shot 271 for a nine-shot victory.

Nicklaus’ 271 was equalled by Raymond Floyd in 1976, and broken by one shot by Tiger Woods (opens in new tab) in 1997. Jordan Spieth (opens in new tab) equalled Tiger Woods’ record in 2015, before Dustin Johnson (opens in new tab) managed to score 268 (20-under) on the way to victory at the 2020 tournament.

The Hogan Bridge at Augusta National is one of three particularly famous ones, including the Sarazen Bridge and Nelson Bridge.