"This is one of the most demanding and exciting finishing holes in the game. No. 18 played as the hardest hole
on the course in 2001. This is the hole that Jerry Pate hit his famous shot 'heard round the world,' a 5-iron
to within two feet to make birdie and win the 1976 U.S Open. This is also where David Toms' won the 83rd PGA
Championship when he laid up short of the water, hit a wedge to within 12 feet and drained the putt for
par to win by one stroke over Phil Mickelson. Normally played as a par 5, this hole can play anywhere from 500
to 528 as a par 4. The length required on this dogleg left tee shot will all but force the player to draw the
ball around the corner. Widest fairway on the course at 30 yards and players normally need it here. A tee
shot that hangs too far right may have trouble reaching the green with the second shot as bunkers guard the
right side of the fairway. A large lake comes into play at the left corner of the dogleg and continues down
the left side. Even with a perfectly placed tee shot, the player still has a long second that has to be hit near
perfect to avoid trouble. The green is undulating, well-protected with bunkers left and surrounded by water
front and right. Look for the flag to be cut the same place it always is for Sunday’s final round, front left.
Hopefully the crowd surrounding the 18th will have an opportunity to see another great shot decide another
great championship."
-- Atlanta Athletic Club Director of Golf & PGA Master Professional Rick Anderson
