NASSAU (Bahamas) – Although December may seem like a month, golfers who are participating in the Hero World Challenge this week already think of April in Augusta.
Some competitors have already begun to make scouting trips for Augusta National. We’ve received their early reviews of Augusta National’s par-5 13 th hole. It has been extended some 35 yards.
Kevin Kisner said, “You know, what?” He lives in Aiken in South Carolina, approximately 45 minutes from Magnolia Lane, the famous home of the first major of the season. “I was completely against it until it was played, and now I don’t believe it’s going be that bad.”
The par-5 13 th is a great hole in golf. Taking it should be a momentous decision, Bobby Jones said. Bobby Jones assisted Alister MacKenzie with its design. It was originally 480 yards long when the Masters began in 1934. By the time the 2022 Masters arrived, it had been played to 510 yards. This distance is much shorter than the par-4s of major championship golf.
Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, and Rory McIlroy are able to hit balls over the trees protecting the dogleg-left green. Sometimes they can even hit it far enough to leave a short iron, or even a wedge, for the second shot to reach the green. The 13th hole was the third most difficult on the course at 2022 Masters. It is only slightly harder than the front-nine par-5s.
Augusta National bought a piece of land from Augusta Country Club in 2017. The land was actually part of a hole at the neighboring golf course. Augusta Country Club had to change its layout in order to accommodate the land purchase. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley stated that there is no timeline for the land to be used as a new tee, but also suggested that 13 might be added.
Ridley stated that Bobby Jones has a great quote about the 13th hole. He said that the decision not to play for the green in 2 should be one of the most important. “And I would say that the observations of these great players hitting short and middle irons into that hole are not a momentous one.”
He said, “From our point of view, we will always do whatever is necessary to preserve the integrity and beauty of our golf course.”
The club has yet to comment on the work done to the hole. However, Eureka Earth’s aerial imagery allows golf fans to track the progress of the construction via detailed images.
It is done…
Augusta National finally extended the 13th green.
No. 13 – Azalea – Par: 5
1934 yardage: 480
2022 yardage: 510
2023 yardage: ?? ?( (c)19NOV2022 David Dobbins/EurekaEarth)#EurekaEarth #NotDrone #Tetelestai #IYKYI pic.twitter.com/K229zPGtNX
— Eureka Earth(r), (@EurekaEarthPlus November 22, 2022
Kisner stated that he wishes they had the option of keeping the old tee in case extreme conditions arise.
He said, “If we catch the ball straight into the wind it’s not possible to get it around the corner.” It’s a par-5 that you can lay up.
Kisner played Augusta National Sunday and stated that he had 210 yard to the front green. “I pounded the ball and it was no roll” and predicted that “the bombers could probably get home with 5-or 6-iron.”
Tony Finau can confirm. Two weeks ago, he visited Augusta National and played 36 holes. Although he said that he didn’t believe adding length at 13 was necessary, he also agreed that the changes were more beneficial than he had expected.
Significant Changes
AKA Presto-chango… You see it now, but you don’t #TheMasters#Masters2023
( (c)30JUN2022 David Dobbins/EurekaEarth)#EurekaEarth #NotDrone #DiscoverThePresent pic.twitter.com/35ZYw7DNkC
— Eureka Earth(r), (@EurekaEarthPlus June 30, 2022
He reached the green, just like Kisner. The first shot was with a 3-iron, the second with a 4-iron.
He said, “In spring, that should a 5-or 6-iron.”
Count Billy Horschel was one of the saddened players. He called 13 “the best par 5 in the whole world.” He hasn’t yet seen them, but he said, “I don’t think you’re going to see as many men go for it.”
