Each day at work, Randy Phillips gazes at his poster of Augusta National Golf Club's 12th hole.

Amen Corner (David Cannon/Allsport)

For 20 years, he vowed to see it in person. On Monday, he made that happen.

The Flower Mound, Texas, man made his way to the back nine and to Amen Corner.

"I've read a lot about the Masters and a lot about the history," said Phillips, whose friend won tickets to all three practice sessions. "Amen Corner is the icon of Augusta, I think. We have courses in the Dallas area that try to duplicate the three holes, but nothing comes near to just being here."

Nestled on the edge of Augusta National's property, Nos. 11, 12 and 13 have become a main attraction for many patrons.

"This is the perfect spot," said Allen Pair, of Birmingham, Ala., as he stood behind the 12th tee. (Kendrick Brinson/Staff)

After an hour of watching players take practice shots Monday, Phillips spotted Larry Mize on the 11th hole. It has been 21 years since Mize won the Masters Tournament, with a 140-foot chip from off the green on that hole.

"We were just talking about how he made the great shot against Greg Norman," Phillips said as Mize finished practicing on the 11th hole. "It changed his life, and he gets to play here every year." Amen Corner, which earned its name in 1958, has become a significant part of Augusta National. And even patrons who don't know every historic detail on the three holes can appreciate it.

Marla Ripperda, of Burnet, Texas, was the only person in her group who isn't an avid golf fan.

Mike Provost, of Hoboken, N.J., took the day off work Monday to come to Augusta National and see the back nine, especially Amen Corner. (Kendrick Brinson/Staff)

"I kept hearing about Amen Corner. And here I am," she said. "It's very spectacular. I heard that it's at the turn and it's beautiful and difficult. I need to go to the museum and get some of the history on the place, since I don't always pay attention."

Mike Provost, of Hoboken, N.J., watches the Masters every year on television. He took a day off from work to visit the course with his brother.

"I wanted to see the entire back nine," Provost said. "I know every hole. It's pretty surreal because, in my bedroom, I have a picture of No. 12. It's really pretty amazing just to see it in person."

After the final practice session Wednesday, Phillips will likely go home with a camera full of pictures. The poster on his office wall won't compare to the snapshots he'll bring home, he said.

"It's just amazing to see the grass here and how green everything is," Phillips said. "It makes you want to take a picture of just the grass. You go to other golf courses and it's just not anywhere near this immaculate."