The score of Rory McIlroy is 4.52. Tiger Woods has a score of 4.38. Phil Mickelson’s score is even lower, 4.26. The figures in question? Average scores on the par-five 13th hole at Augusta National during the Masters.
There is an argument that par is solely a scoring tool and should not be taken seriously when considering the layout of a golf course. Yet, in this region of Georgia, it has long been presumed that Masters officials do not approve of a hole being destroyed in the manner that has occurred at “Azalea,” where there are approximately 1,600 flowers from tee to green.
This year’s Masters will feature a new tee constructed 35 yards behind the previous side of the markers. Drivers from the tee box say it looks to have been there for 50 years. Construction activity in Augusta is never noticeable.
According to reports, Augusta National paid Augusta Country Club $20 million for the land necessary to modify the 13th.
This club has sufficient resources to make such a transaction simple. Others are unable to expand due to a lack of capital and/or space; hence, the an ongoing debate over whether or not golf balls should be modified.
The Master’s committee’s reasoning is straightforward. They are attempting to prevent golfers from cutting the corner of the right-to-left dogleg from the fairway, which would leave them with a short iron for their second shot on the par five. Underpinning the amendment is the notion that this hole should be played by Alister MacKenzie’s intentions. Also this is the most significant change to the Master’s course in the past decade.
“I think it’s important that it’s a reachable par five,” says Tommy Fleetwood. “Otherwise, it becomes a three-shot hole, and you change one of the most exciting holes in golf.” “I don’t believe you should be able to hit a wedge into the green; I believe you should have to shape it off the tee and then make a decision. You could approach it with an eagle or a double bogie.
“If you make it too long, everyone will use a wedge and it will become a 100-yard par 3.” So you can’t have shots like Mickelson’s from the trees in 2010 if you have to lie up with 270 yards remaining.”
Since Fleetwood’s motif is a recurring one, it is possible that some of the drama in the thirteenth could have been eliminated. Dustin Johnson acknowledged that he will lie up short of Rae’s Creek on his second shot if he is holding a club longer than a five-iron. To get closer, players’ drives must contain a powerful hook.
Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, explains, “It’s a response to the modern game, technology, and Augusta’s dislike of people hitting eight or nine irons into that green.”
“Only a few individuals are capable of doing that, not too many. So it appears that everyone is now driving to the same location, leaving them with a long iron or hybrid, and, presumably, returning to the way the course designer intended the hole to be played. Cutting the corner takes courage and ball speed, so I think it makes the hole easier. This resolution eliminates risk.”
The fairway on the thirteenth hole slopes significantly from right to left. “Even with a nine-iron in hand, it’s a difficult approach shot,” says Will Zalatoris. “The ball is incredibly high above your ankles. Even if the hole is in the left back corner, you should aim for the right side of the green.
In his pre-tournament address, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said weather could impact players’ views of the 13th hole. Behind the 12th tee, the 13th tee is now scarcely visible to spectators.
Francesco Molinari, a former Open champion, states, “It’s just the way the game is going.” “It could almost be an easier tee shot for people like me because I no longer have to hook the ball around the trees. There may be many more men reclining down, which diminishes some of the amusement. “Hopefully they can move the tee up and down a bit so that every day is a new challenge.”
Augusta deemed it necessary to alter an artwork. Participants’ responses to the 87th Masters will be attentively monitored.
