AUGUSTA GA — If the playing at the 87th Masters Tournament is half the fun as all the conjecture this week it will be a memorable event that will last a lifetime.
Official practice rounds start Monday morning. There are many stories to follow. The first is a potentially contentious Champions Dinner on Tuesday night. Six former champions are now part the controversial LIV golf tour and are expected to be there.
The course has seen one of its second nine par 5s lengthened for the second consecutive year. This is the 13th. This is a major move that’s been discussed since Augusta National Golf Club purchased land from Augusta County Club in 2017. It’s now a reality.
It’s one year that top players around the world peak at the perfect time to play in the Masters.
They are the Big Three.
- Defending champion Scott Scheffler
- Jon Rahm
- Rory McIlroy
McIlroy is attempting to complete his ninth career Grand Slam. McIlroy is coming off his best finish, a solo second place last year due to a 64 in the final round.
LIV’s first big moment at Masters? Champions Dinner
Fred Couples and other past champions have voiced their disapproval at the LIV Golf League. Six former champions joined the league since last year’s Champions Dinner and will be present Tuesday night.
Phil Mickelson is the third-time champion. He skipped the dinner last year and did not attend the tournament due to criticisms of LIV and the PGA Tour. In June, he joined LIV and was followed by ex-Masters champions Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia.
Scheffler will be the host of the dinner as the defending champ. Watson joked that perhaps there should be a separate table reserved for LIV golfers. Nick Faldo, three-time champ, suggested that it might be a good idea to use “plastic knives” and forks.
Masters leaderboard : The latest news from Augusta
There are currently 18 LIV golfers participating in the 2023 Masters, including Brooks Koepka, a four-time major champion and the winner at the recent LIV event. They have all been open to criticisms that they may have lost their edge because they have played only three events this season, including one in Orlando. They play 54-hole tournaments and not 72.
LIV members are not allowed to play on the PGA Tour’s events. However, the majors, including Masters, allow those who are qualified to play.
Cameron Smith, currently the British Open champion and LIV’s highest ranking player in the world, said that most of us will have four chances to win this year (in major championships). “Maybe it’s just that we show a great deal of effort. We think that there is a lot of talk about these guys not playing real golf. We just want to let people know that.
Joaquin Niemann (another LIV member) stated that “I believe there is a huge rivalry right now among the Tour and LIV.” “I believe there are a lot players that – I don’t know if it’s because they don’t like us or don’t like the decisions we make – but it’s going to be fun.”
Niemann stated, “It’s going be more fun knowing they hate us.” “Then, go to the majors and defeat them.”
Augusta National will pair them all together? It’s doubtful. It is common for former champions to be paired with amateurs. Is the fan reaction muted?
What if a LIV-golfer wins? Smith is unquestionably the best player in the game. Smith has proven that he is capable of winning here with three top-10 finishes in the last three years. He finished second in 2020 and became the first golfer to break 70 in each of the four rounds. He also tied for 10th in 2021, and was third last year.
Lucky or unlucky, the new 13th hole is here!
The lengthening of hole 13 is now apparent. The tee was moved backwards and up the hill 35 yards, making it play at 545 yard. Players will have a harder time drawing their ball around the dogleg corner of the par-5. This will mean that fewer players will attempt to reach the water-guarded green in just two shots and that eagles are less likely. Last year, there were three.
The view from Augusta National’s new 13th Tee Box.
(Photo: @TheMasters) pic.twitter.com/LlJXkHekax
Riley (@rileyhamel_), March 31, 2023
Zero eagles were recorded last year when the par-5 15th was extended by 20 yards to 550 yard.
The No. 13 puzzles by Bubba Watson, two-time Masters champion.
Watson stated, “It will alter the hole.” Watson said, “It’s now driver off the tee and possibly a long iron to the green. Are they going to take out the trees around the bend? This will determine how difficult it is to go for it in two. There will be more lay-ups. They wanted the Sunday roars to return a few years back. Are you removing the roars from Sunday? It’s kinda weird.”
Gannett could earn revenue from betting operators in exchange for audience referrals. The newsrooms and news coverage are not under the control of sports betting operators. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the operator’s site for more information. Help is available for anyone with a gambling problem. 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), OH, 1-800-522-4700(CO), 1-800-BETSOFF (IA), 1-800-9WIT-IT (IN), 1-800-GAMBLER-NJ (OH), 1-800-522-4700(CO), 1-800-522-4700 – 24/7 Gambling requires that you be at least 21 years old. Gambling and sports betting are not allowed in all countries. Respect the laws in your area.
