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It’s one of the toughest challenges in golf, the Masters at Augusta National.

The 18 holes that make up this famous course can break even the most talented golfers.

And one section of the second nine in particular has earned a reputation for ending dreams of putting on the Green Jacket.

Known as Amen Corner – a term coined by sports writer Herbert Warren Wind in 1958 – it incorporates the 11th, 12th and the tee shot on the 13th hole.

It is arguably the most famous stretch of holes in golf and is known for producing dramatic moments.

Someone who knows what it takes to tame Amen Corner is Danny Willett.

READ: What you need to know about the Masters

The Englishman won the Masters by three shots from Jordan Spieth in 2016, after the American blew a five-shot lead standing on the 10th tee in the final round.

By the end of Amen Corner, Spieth was trailing Willett by one and the Englishman kept his cool to clinch his first major title.

Here, Willett shares his strategy for taking on Amen Corner.

The tee has been moved back and now drives are played down a chute of trees to a narrow fairway with trees left and right.

The second shot is downhill to a green guarded by a pond on the left. The green is long and runs away from the fairway.

Danny Willett: “The 11th is a beast of a hole. We always play pretty aggressively off the tee and try to leave a short shot in.

“That green is pretty tricky to hit when the wind is swirling around and you’ve got the lake on the left. Miss it too far right and too long and you’ll have a devilish little chip back up and over that mound right of the green.”

READ: 20 years of iconic Tiger Woods images

Despite its size, picking the right club is the hardest part of playing this hole. The wind swirls viciously in the trees – sometimes it’s in your face, sometimes it’s behind you or from the side.

Players will often watch the flag on the 11th green, but often that blows in a different direction to the one on the 12th.

Anything short is either in the front left bunker, straight into the water or is likely to roll down the steep bank guarding the green on the right side and trickle into the water. Too long, and it’s into the azaleas or the back bunker.

The Sunday pin is always front right. Spieth’s tee shot in 2016 was short and wet – a combination of wind and a bad shot in the first place.

Spieth took a drop on the nearby 13th fairway and pitched back into the water. He dropped another ball for his fourth shot, found the green with his fifth and took two putts for a quadruple-bogey seven.

The opening major of the golf season is the Masters from Augusta, Georgia every April, although it is being held in November in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It's a spring rite, steeped in tradition and layered in rich sporting history and drama. It's an event that attracts even non-golfers because of the sublime beauty of the course. Click through the gallery for an A-Z of the Masters.
The Masters, Augusta —
The opening major of the golf season is the Masters from Augusta, Georgia every April, although it is being held in November in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It's a spring rite, steeped in tradition and layered in rich sporting history and drama. It's an event that attracts even non-golfers because of the sublime beauty of the course. Click through the gallery for an A-Z of the Masters.
Harry How/Getty Images
The revered course has hosted the year's opening major -- and the only one of the big four events to be played at the same course every year -- since 1934. A is also for the <strong>azaleas</strong> which traditionally blossom during Masters week and for <strong>Amen Corner</strong>, the infamous stretch of holes incorporating the 11th, the treacherous short 12th and the tee shot on the par-five 13th.
A is for Augusta National —
The revered course has hosted the year's opening major -- and the only one of the big four events to be played at the same course every year -- since 1934. A is also for the azaleas which traditionally blossom during Masters week and for Amen Corner, the infamous stretch of holes incorporating the 11th, the treacherous short 12th and the tee shot on the par-five 13th.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
The Georgian greensward is an oasis among the urban landscape of Augusta, Georgia's second city on the banks of the Savannah River. The bars, burger joints and shopping malls of neighboring Washington Road are in stark contrast to the golfing dreamscape over the fence. B is also for Seve <strong>Ballesteros, </strong>the Spaniard who opened the European floodgates with wins in 1980 and 1983.
B is for Beauty —
The Georgian greensward is an oasis among the urban landscape of Augusta, Georgia's second city on the banks of the Savannah River. The bars, burger joints and shopping malls of neighboring Washington Road are in stark contrast to the golfing dreamscape over the fence. B is also for Seve Ballesteros, the Spaniard who opened the European floodgates with wins in 1980 and 1983.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Augusta's caddies are instantly recognizable by their white jump suits. Before 1983, players had to use a club caddie, all of whom were local black men. Since then players have used their usual tour caddies, but they must still don the white suit and green cap.
C is for Caddies —
Augusta's caddies are instantly recognizable by their white jump suits. Before 1983, players had to use a club caddie, all of whom were local black men. Since then players have used their usual tour caddies, but they must still don the white suit and green cap.
David Cannon/Getty Images
The hallowed property is governed by its own strict rules such as no running or cell phones, but on the flip side traditions exist such as the practice of placing your green Masters chair at your preferred spot and being able to return to your vacant seat hours later.
D is for Dos and Don'ts —
The hallowed property is governed by its own strict rules such as no running or cell phones, but on the flip side traditions exist such as the practice of placing your green Masters chair at your preferred spot and being able to return to your vacant seat hours later.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a member of Augusta National and several landmarks of his era remain, including Ike's Pond, the fishing lake he championed that is the focal point of the Par-3 Contest. Eisenhower's white cabin also sits near the clubhouse.
E is for Eisenhower —
Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a member of Augusta National and several landmarks of his era remain, including Ike's Pond, the fishing lake he championed that is the focal point of the Par-3 Contest. Eisenhower's white cabin also sits near the clubhouse.
David Cannon/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Visitors to Augusta National are known as patrons -- not fans or spectators or the crowd. Tickets are like gold dust, but a limited number of practice round tickets and tournament days are available through a yearly ballot. The waiting list for weekly tournament badges closed years ago.
F is for Fans (make that Patrons) —
Visitors to Augusta National are known as patrons -- not fans or spectators or the crowd. Tickets are like gold dust, but a limited number of practice round tickets and tournament days are available through a yearly ballot. The waiting list for weekly tournament badges closed years ago.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy just needs the Masters to complete the Grand Slam of all four of golf's major titles. The Northern Irishman blew a four-shot lead at Augusta in 2011, but having won four majors in the meantime returns for his fifth shot at the Grand Slam this week. Only five others have achieved the feat -- Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. G is also for <strong>greens</strong> -- the slick, sloping putting surfaces are infamous.
G is for Grand Slam —
Rory McIlroy just needs the Masters to complete the Grand Slam of all four of golf's major titles. The Northern Irishman blew a four-shot lead at Augusta in 2011, but having won four majors in the meantime returns for his fifth shot at the Grand Slam this week. Only five others have achieved the feat -- Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. G is also for greens -- the slick, sloping putting surfaces are infamous.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Augusta National was created by Scottish golf course architect Dr. Alister Mackenzie and co-founder Bobby Jones and opened in 1933 on land that was once the site of Fruitlands Nursery. During World War II the land was briefly given over to turkey and cattle farming.
H is for History —
Augusta National was created by Scottish golf course architect Dr. Alister Mackenzie and co-founder Bobby Jones and opened in 1933 on land that was once the site of Fruitlands Nursery. During World War II the land was briefly given over to turkey and cattle farming.
AP Photo
South African Gary Player -- pictured here in 2014 with Jack Nicklaus (left) and the late Arnold Palmer -- was the first international champion in 1961. Since then the Masters has been won 21 times by overseas players. The US counts for 60 wins from 37 different players.
I is for Internationals —
South African Gary Player -- pictured here in 2014 with Jack Nicklaus (left) and the late Arnold Palmer -- was the first international champion in 1961. Since then the Masters has been won 21 times by overseas players. The US counts for 60 wins from 37 different players.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Golfweek
The tropical-weight emerald blazer is worn by only Augusta National members and Masters champions. It was first introduced for members in 1937 and ordered from Brooks Uniform Company in New York. Sam Snead was the first winner to receive a jacket and honorary membership in 1949. The reigning Masters champion can take it home for a year, then it must be kept at the club.
J is for Jacket, as in green —
The tropical-weight emerald blazer is worn by only Augusta National members and Masters champions. It was first introduced for members in 1937 and ordered from Brooks Uniform Company in New York. Sam Snead was the first winner to receive a jacket and honorary membership in 1949. The reigning Masters champion can take it home for a year, then it must be kept at the club.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The saying goes the Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday. It starts with one of the hardest holes on the course in the 10th and then enters Amen Corner with the equally tough 11th and then the booby trap of the short 12th. But the long 15th (pictured) is key -- big moves can be made with eagles here. Anything less than a birdie and you will likely go backwards.
K is for Key holes —
The saying goes the Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday. It starts with one of the hardest holes on the course in the 10th and then enters Amen Corner with the equally tough 11th and then the booby trap of the short 12th. But the long 15th (pictured) is key -- big moves can be made with eagles here. Anything less than a birdie and you will likely go backwards.
Rob Carr/Getty Images
The exclusive driveway to Augusta's historic clubhouse is framed by dozens of magnolia trees. Only members and Masters competitors are allowed to access this revered entrance which gives on to the Founder's Circle and then the whitewashed concrete clubhouse, built in 1854.
L is for Lane, as in Magnolia Lane —
The exclusive driveway to Augusta's historic clubhouse is framed by dozens of magnolia trees. Only members and Masters competitors are allowed to access this revered entrance which gives on to the Founder's Circle and then the whitewashed concrete clubhouse, built in 1854.
Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Popular left-hander Phil Mickelson is one of 17 players to have won multiple Masters titles. The three-time champion won the first of his five major titles at Augusta in 2004 after three straight third places. Even at 50, Mickelson remains a Masters threat.
M is for Mickelson —
Popular left-hander Phil Mickelson is one of 17 players to have won multiple Masters titles. The three-time champion won the first of his five major titles at Augusta in 2004 after three straight third places. Even at 50, Mickelson remains a Masters threat.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The most successful player at the Masters is Jack Nicklaus, whose six Green Jackets remains the record. The 80-year-old is now an honorary starter along with Gary Player, following the death of four-time champion Arnold Palmer in 2016.
N is for Nicklaus, as in Jack —
The most successful player at the Masters is Jack Nicklaus, whose six Green Jackets remains the record. The 80-year-old is now an honorary starter along with Gary Player, following the death of four-time champion Arnold Palmer in 2016.
Harry How/Getty Images
The famous old oak tree on the course side of the clubhouse is an iconic landmark and the traditional meeting place for the game's movers and shakers and media types with the correct credential. A familiar refrain of Masters week is: "Meet you under the tree."
O is for Oak tree —
The famous old oak tree on the course side of the clubhouse is an iconic landmark and the traditional meeting place for the game's movers and shakers and media types with the correct credential. A familiar refrain of Masters week is: "Meet you under the tree."
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Perhaps the most famous short hole in golf, the par-3 12th sits at the heart of Amen Corner. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, it is just 155 yards long, but Rae's Creek looms large in front and a devilish wind always swirling around the trees makes club selection tricky.
P is for Par 3s, notably the 12th —
Perhaps the most famous short hole in golf, the par-3 12th sits at the heart of Amen Corner. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, it is just 155 yards long, but Rae's Creek looms large in front and a devilish wind always swirling around the trees makes club selection tricky.
Scott Halleran//Getty Images for Golfweek
Modern media are housed in a recently built state-of-the-art facility at the far end of the practice range, but in days gone by the stories from Augusta were crafted in a corrugated metal Quonset Hut.
Q is for Quonset Hut —
Modern media are housed in a recently built state-of-the-art facility at the far end of the practice range, but in days gone by the stories from Augusta were crafted in a corrugated metal Quonset Hut.
David Cannon/Getty Images
When the excitement rises on a Sunday afternoon and the patrons reach fever pitch, the roars reverberate around the towering pines which act like a giant organ reflecting the noise all over the course. A Phil Mickelson roar stands out, but a roar for Tiger Woods is like no other.
R is for Roars —
When the excitement rises on a Sunday afternoon and the patrons reach fever pitch, the roars reverberate around the towering pines which act like a giant organ reflecting the noise all over the course. A Phil Mickelson roar stands out, but a roar for Tiger Woods is like no other.
David Cannon/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Jordan Spieth was on a fast track to being crowned the new king of Augusta following his wire-to-wire victory in 2015 and dominance for three rounds in 2016. He was still clear with nine holes to play before famously self destructing with two balls in the water on 12. The American has struggled of late and is down to 33rd in the world, but in five Masters appearances he has won, finished second twice, come third and 11th.
S is for Spieth —
Jordan Spieth was on a fast track to being crowned the new king of Augusta following his wire-to-wire victory in 2015 and dominance for three rounds in 2016. He was still clear with nine holes to play before famously self destructing with two balls in the water on 12. The American has struggled of late and is down to 33rd in the world, but in five Masters appearances he has won, finished second twice, come third and 11th.
David Cannon/Getty Images
The Masters is forward looking but rooted in tradition, such as the pre-tournament Par-3 Contest, in which friends and family members caddie for the players and hit the occasional shot. Jack Nicklaus' grandson Gary made a hole in one last year. Other traditions include the Champions Dinner, in which the holder chooses the menu and hosts the evening on the Tuesday of Masters week
T is for Tradition —
The Masters is forward looking but rooted in tradition, such as the pre-tournament Par-3 Contest, in which friends and family members caddie for the players and hit the occasional shot. Jack Nicklaus' grandson Gary made a hole in one last year. Other traditions include the Champions Dinner, in which the holder chooses the menu and hosts the evening on the Tuesday of Masters week
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
When Jordan Spieth won in 2015 he equaled Tiger Woods' 1997 record for the lowest winning score at 18 under par.
U is for Under par —
When Jordan Spieth won in 2015 he equaled Tiger Woods' 1997 record for the lowest winning score at 18 under par.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Augusta's vistas are consistently spell-binding with the pines framing the holes and the lush grass, ice white of the bunkers and explosions of color from the flowers and patrons adding to the allure.
V is for Views —
Augusta's vistas are consistently spell-binding with the pines framing the holes and the lush grass, ice white of the bunkers and explosions of color from the flowers and patrons adding to the allure.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Who else? Tiger Woods changed golf when he won his first major by a record 12 shots in 1997. He went on to win three further Green Jackets, the last of which came in 2005 after a famous chip-in on the 16th. The 43-year-old is fit again after multiple back surgeries, and among the widely tipped contenders.
W is for Woods —
Who else? Tiger Woods changed golf when he won his first major by a record 12 shots in 1997. He went on to win three further Green Jackets, the last of which came in 2005 after a famous chip-in on the 16th. The 43-year-old is fit again after multiple back surgeries, and among the widely tipped contenders.
Harry How/Getty Images Sport Classic/Getty Images
Winning the Masters requires a game in mint condition and a bit of something special. Think Tiger Woods' chip-in on the 16th in 2005, or Phil Mickelson's shot threaded through trees on the 13th in 2010. Or what about Bubba Watson's banana ball from the woods on the 10th to clinch a play off in 2012 (pictured)?
X is for X-factor —
Winning the Masters requires a game in mint condition and a bit of something special. Think Tiger Woods' chip-in on the 16th in 2005, or Phil Mickelson's shot threaded through trees on the 13th in 2010. Or what about Bubba Watson's banana ball from the woods on the 10th to clinch a play off in 2012 (pictured)?
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Tiger Woods' 1997 win for the first of 14 majors so far made him the youngest Masters champion at the age of 21.
Y is for Youngest winner —
Tiger Woods' 1997 win for the first of 14 majors so far made him the youngest Masters champion at the age of 21.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
For many players, winning the Masters represents the zenith of their career. Phil Mickelson's jump for joy in 2004 at his 11th attempt kick started an era which yielded further victories in 2006 and 2010.
Z is for Zenith —
For many players, winning the Masters represents the zenith of their career. Phil Mickelson's jump for joy in 2004 at his 11th attempt kick started an era which yielded further victories in 2006 and 2010.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
The Masters: A-Z in photos

Willett: “Everyone’s strategy is probably the same. You’re trying to aim it right half of the trap to a reasonable number middle of the green.

“If it you happen to pull it or push it a little onto the flag so be it. You’re praying you’ve not had a little wind switch or not got the wind wrong.

“We’ve seen a lot of people up the back over the bunker and just as many short in the water from what they thought were reasonable golf shots at the time.”

READ: Larry Mize relives his miracle shot

It’s just the drive on 13 that is part of Amen Corner. From a tee up against the fence by the side of the 12th green, players must bend the ball around the corner to the left.

Too far left, it’s into the trees, too straight, into more trees and pine straw (where Phil Mickelson made his miracle shot in 2010.) The second shot is generally played off a slope, and most players will go for the green in two.

Willett: “The 13th depends how you move the ball. We play 13 pretty safe with a three wood or five wood to the corner, depending on the wind, then lay up to a different part depending on the flag position and where you can use slopes to come into the pin.

“Sunday last year we needed to make birdies and the easiest way to make birdies is to have an iron in your hands to go for the green so I tried to hit a draw with a driver, which doesn’t suit all the time.

“I pulled it off and hit a five-iron to the middle of the green and was able to take two putts for a pretty simple birdie. That tee shot was one of the best shots I hit that Sunday.”