How difficult is Augusta National? It depends on who you ask. If you ask, say, Rory McIlroy, the Ulsterman would point at his track record and probably give a rueful smile. The four-time major winner hasn’t been able to tackle the Georgia pitch so far. Despite putting forth different tactics over the years. 

It’s been his bugbear since a ruined chance in 2011. But then it’s understandable because that par-72 Georgia layout was the third toughest course in the PGA Tour this year. The scoring average at this year’s Masters was almost 2-over par. But if you ask, say, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson, you would get a surprising response.

“I have played Augusta National four times. My lowest round was a 74. Larry [Fitzgerald] actually witnessed it. And that’s my first time ever playing it.” Come again, you say?

Peterson, a 5-handicapper, birdied the first two holes. Then double-bogeyed. But eventually, he made four more birdies to not just break 80 but shoot 2-over par. Peterson, who recently appeared for a chat with Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz at the Golf’s Subpar podcast, revealed while talking about Augusta National.

Now if you have any lingering doubts, let’s just clear that. In 2023, the field average at the Masters was 73.01. This year it was 73.91. Many have been the victims of those fast greens and diabolical slopes. Moreover, if stats don’t convince you and you don’t count the words of a scribe, hear it from those who donned the green jackets.

Larry Mize, the 1987 Masters champ, told Golf.com last April,” “Playing there for the first time, you’re just going to be so excited. It’s going to be hard to focus in (sic!) on your game. It’s just the nerves of playing there for the first time.” Jose Maria Olazabal, a two-time Masters champion, agreed. An average Joe would have a hard time teeing off in Georgia.

But then Patrick Peterson is not an average Joe, so to speak. He is a 5-handicapper, as we said, and works hard on his golf game. It’s almost impressive how the NFL cornerback actually reached here. 

Patrick Peterson’s inspiring journey to a single-digit handicap

Peterson reminds the Subpar podcast hosts that he is not a scratch golfer. He isn’t. But his game is enough to make you think he is one. Peterson, who never was a serious golfer until his 20s, started working on his short game to shoot low. Distance of the tee, the Holy Grail to many amateurs, wasn’t his end goal. Even now, the cornerback averages around 280 yards with the driver.

“So for me, it’s all about everything within 30 yards and in. I love working on chipping, pitch shots, bump-and-runs, because you never know when you may need those shots,” the 34-year-old told Golf.com in a previous interview. Here is one more fun fact. The NFL star has a replica of the 12th green in his backyard. 

A lot of his wisdom, though, came from legendary golf coach Butch Harmon. Peterson visited the sage in his Vegas home and compared it with a moment of enlightenment. “I’m a competitor, so I want to be as good as I can be,” Peterson said. Well, he is on the right track.