When: Thursday, 3:55 p.m.

The grandstands at No. 12 provide a good view of the action at Amen Corner, including the difficult 11th hole. The 505-yard par 4 gave up only two birdies in Thursday's first round. (Ross Taylor/Staff)

Where: Amen Corner grandstands

They call the far reaches of Augusta National Golf Club Amen Corner because players often need to say a prayer as they enter and leave.

The moniker is appropriate in another way, too. From a seat in the grandstands, the area made up of the No. 11 green, No. 12 and the No. 13 tee really does resemble a cathedral.

The 11th green and the 12th tee are the confessionals, albeit without curtains. Sins are acknowledged in three-putts at No. 11 and errant tee shots at No. 12.

The 11th is a 505-yard par 4 that had players calling to their maker Thursday - the hole yielded only two birdies all day. And a kneeler belongs at the back of the 12th tee, so humbling is the 155-yard approach shot.

The No. 12 tee is as public a place as there is at Augusta National. The congregation, numbering in the thousands, sits or stands respectfully behind the tee.

Rae's Creek is the altar rail. As golfers cross the Hogan Bridge and approach the putting surface, they are alone. The area constitutes the far reaches of the golf course and has no room for galleries.

Everything is still, but the atmosphere change grants little peace. More abominations than miracles are performed at this altar as players chip from bushes, bunkers and the banks of the creek.

Absolution comes quickly, though, from the tucked-away sanctity of the 13th tee. The par-5 dogleg is one of the easiest holes at Augusta National, sending the golfers off with a blessing.

Amen, indeed.