The course where US's worst golfer was found

According to Golf Digest magazine, the organizer, the "who has the most strokes" contest over 18 holes was held at the same place as The Players Championship, the top competition on the PGA Tour.

To compete for the title of the worst golfer in the U.S., contestants must have played more than 21 rounds in a year and have a handicap of at least 36 issued by the U.S. Golf Association.

More than 600 people registered for the preliminary round, and four qualified to compete on the Stadium course.

In the end grocery store manager Angelo Spagnolo became "the worst golfer in the U.S." by finishing 18 holes at 257 strokes, equivalent to a score of +185.

Spagnolo had played 49 shots more than the runner-up thanks to 22 shots on the 18th hole and 66 shots on the par-3 17th.

The Stadium course at the TPC Sawgrass golf complex in Florida, US. Photo by Instagram/@tpcsawgrass

At the penultimate hole, he played with both wooden and iron clubs. He hit the ball too high when using the former and too low with iron clubs, which made him unable to get it past the lake.

By the time Spagnolo crossed the lake, he had played 66 shots, including 27 penalty strokes on the 17th.

Over time this became the most difficult hole in the world.

The Stadium course opened in 1980 and two years later it became the annual venue of The Players Championship. The 2024 edition of this event started on March 14 with prize money of $25 million, including $4.5 million for the winner.

The four worst golfers became great friends, played in many charity events together, went to a Golf Digest School for lessons, and got slightly better, but forevermore remained true to their titles.

On the 10th and 25th anniversaries of the championship, Golf Digest considered doing it again, but better wisdom prevailed.

"This extraordinary event will never be duplicated," Jerry Tarde, editor-in-chief of Golf Digest, said.