Question: What are the highest scores on one hole by pro golfers?
Answer: The PGA Tour has only compiled individual hole scores since 1983. So since 1983, the highest scores on individual holes on the PGA Tour are:
The highest single-hole score recorded in a U.S. Open is 19, scored by Ray Ainsley on a par-4 in the 1938 U.S. Open. This score is recognized by the USGA as the tournament record, and the U.S. Open is counted by the PGA Tour as a tour event. But, again, the tour has compiled hole records only since 1983, and so sticks by that date as its starting point for this stat.
PGA Tour High Hole Scores
- 18 - John Daly on par-5 at 1998 Bay Hill Invitational
- 16 - Kevin Na on par-4 at 2011 Valero Texas Open
- 16 - Gary McCord on par-5 at 1986 FedEx St. Jude Classic
Daly's 18 happened on the sixth hole at Bay Hill and was earned by putting six balls into the water. Na's adventure is described here.
European Tour High Hole Scores
On the European Tour, the worst scores are:
- 20 - Philippe Porquier on par-3 at 1978 French Open
- 17 - Chris Gane at 2003 Diageo Championship at Gleneagles
The highest single-hole score recorded in a U.S. Open is 19, scored by Ray Ainsley on a par-4 in the 1938 U.S. Open. This score is recognized by the USGA as the tournament record, and the U.S. Open is counted by the PGA Tour as a tour event. But, again, the tour has compiled hole records only since 1983, and so sticks by that date as its starting point for this stat.
On other tours, Mitsuhiro Tateyama scored 19 on a par-3 during the 2006 Acom International on the Japan Tour.
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