The Masters: Lowest Scores Ever Recorded

The lowest 72-hole score in Masters history is 268 (20 under par), set by Dustin Johnson in November 2020. The lowest 18-hole round is 63 (9 under par), achieved six times at Augusta National. No player has ever shot 62 or lower in tournament play.

These records apply only to the official four-round Masters Tournament. The Par 3 Contest, practice rounds, and any unofficial play do not count. If you’re tracking scoring history, stick to tournament leaderboard data from the first round through the final round on Sunday.

Dustin Johnson’s Record 72-Hole Score (268)

Johnson’s 268 in the 2020 Masters—delayed to November due to COVID-19—broke the prior record of 270 shared by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015). His opening rounds of 65 and 70 were solid, but the third-round 65 put him in command. A closing 68 sealed a five-shot win over Cameron Smith and Sungjae Im.

Previous 72-hole Masters records:

Year	Player	Score (to par)
2020	Dustin Johnson	268 (-20)
1997	Tiger Woods	270 (-18)
2015	Jordan Spieth	270 (-18)
1965	Jack Nicklaus	271 (-17)
1990	Raymond Floyd	271 (-17)
1992	Fred Couples	272 (-16)

Several factors aligned for Johnson. November brought softer greens from off-season rains, and the course played slightly longer but held approach shots better than a typical April setup. His driving accuracy—47 of 56 fairways—kept him out of trouble, and he hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation. No one else has come within three strokes of his mark since. The closest since 2020 was Scottie Scheffler’s 280 (-8) in 2024.

What the Record Means for Score Predictions

If you’re picking a Masters winner or predicting final scores, treat 268 as an anomaly. Since 2020, winning totals have settled into a normal range: Hideki Matsuyama at 278 (-10) in 2021, Scheffler at 278 (-10) in 2022, Jon Rahm at 276 (-12) in 2023, and Scheffler again at 280 (-8) in 2024. A typical April winner finishes around 10 to 14 under par. Anything below 270 is elite company—and unlikely to happen often.

The 268 record stands only for the 72-hole stroke-play format used since 1965. Earlier Masters tournaments had 36 or 54 holes with different scoring systems. Also note: Johnson’s record was set under November conditions with softer greens and no gallery ropes affecting bounce. An April Masters with firm, fast greens produces higher scores—expect the winning total to be 5–8 strokes higher than Johnson’s record.

How to Verify Scoring Records Yourself

Go to masters.com and click “Tournament,” then “History & Stats.” Sort by “Lowest 72-Hole Score” to confirm the all-time list. For 18-hole rounds, use the “Lowest Round” filter. The official site updates after each tournament. Avoid third-party aggregators that may include Par 3 Contest scores or practice-round numbers in their totals.

Six Players Have Shot 63; No One Has Shot 62

Six players have carded a 63 in the Masters. No one has recorded a 62 or lower in tournament history.

Player	Round	Year	Score
Nick Price	3rd	1986	63
Greg Norman	1st	1996	63
Tiger Woods	2nd	2007	63
Phil Mickelson	3rd	2008	63
Jason Day	1st	2013	63
Justin Thomas	1st	2016	63

All six rounds came on Thursday or Saturday. No player has shot 63 on Friday or Sunday. The closest Sunday round was 64, shot by several players including Rory McIlroy (2016) and Jon Rahm (2023, final round 69 to win).

Nick Price’s 63 in 1986 was the first, coming in the third round amid windy conditions. Greg Norman’s opening 63 in 1996 set a tournament record that lasted until Woods matched it in 2007. Woods did it in the second round, then Phil Mickelson followed with a 63 in the third round of 2008. Jason Day and Justin Thomas both opened with 63 in 2013 and 2016 respectively—Thomas remains the most recent.

Why 62 May Never Happen

Augusta National’s design works against a 62. The course has only four par 5s, all reachable, but requires precise shot shaping into firm greens. Amen Corner (holes 11, 12, 13) eats up scoring chances—the par-3 12th alone averages over 3.2 strokes per round. To shoot 62, a player would need birdie or eagle on at least nine holes with zero bogeys. That means converting on at least three of the four par 5s, plus six more birdies across the par 4s and par 3s. The math is tight, and wind shifts off the Georgia pines make club selection unpredictable on the back nine.

If you see a claim that someone shot 62 at Augusta, check the source. It was likely a practice round or Par 3 Contest, not tournament play. No official round under 63 exists.

Lowest 9-Hole Scores

Several players have shot 29 on the front or back nine at Augusta National. The most notable:

• Kyle Stanley (front nine, 2017): 29 (7 under) with an eagle on the par-5 2nd and birdies on four other holes.
• Johnny Miller (back nine, 1975): 30 (6 under) in the final round, finishing with 65.
• Tiger Woods (front nine, 2007): 30 (6 under) en route to his 63.
• Phil Mickelson (front nine, 2008): 30 (6 under) during his 63.

No player has ever shot 28 (8 under) on any nine holes in the Masters. The 29 by Stanley is the lowest nine-hole score in tournament history. A 28 would require a bogey-free stretch with an eagle and five birdies on a single nine—or two eagles and four birdies—which is extremely rare even on easier courses.

Final-Verification Step

To confirm any Masters scoring record yourself, follow this path:

1. Go to masters.com

2. Click “Tournament” → “History & Stats”

3. Select “Lowest 72-Hole Score” or “Lowest Round”

4. Cross-reference the year and player with the official Masters media guide

Unofficial scores during practice rounds or the Par 3 Contest are not counted in tournament records. The all-time low 72-hole score remains 268, and the 18-hole record remains 63. No player has broken either barrier since Johnson’s victory in 2020, and conditions at Augusta National make it unlikely either record falls soon.