Every hole at Augusta is a painting unto itself. Over the years, each of them has been deeply etched into the minds of the pros who have played in the Masters.
Every golf aficionado knows the back nine at Augusta, as it has been televised since the 1950s. However, for those of us old enough to remember the ‘breaking of tradition’, the front nine is another matter.
For many years, the TV broadcast would only show the back nine on Sunday, reinforcing the idea that ‘the Masters doesn’t begin until the back nine on Sunday.’ However, in 1997 television coverage expanded and the golfing world saw the front nine for the first time.
A Tale Of Two Nines
Strategically, the two nines are distinctly different. The front nine subtly teases and tempts players to be aggressive and get low. Before heading into ‘Amen Corner’ and the drama of the back nine, dominated by high-risk – high-reward holes, that have crowned and crucified many players over the years. Mickelson’s second shot to the 13th in 2010 to win, and Spieth’s train wreck quadruple bogey on 12 in 2016 to mention just two!
It was christened ‘Amen Corner’ in 1958 by the famous golf writer Herbert Warren Wind, who was inspired by the jazz song ‘Shouting at Amen Corner’. Many players have been seen looking upwards, with a nod, coming off the 13th green. If they have escaped unscathed!
Speaking with Jack at last year’s Masters, he mentioned that he could count the number of double bogies, he has had at Augusta over the years on one hand. He also mentioned that Scheffler and Schauffele were the best course managers, compared to Rory, who makes too many double bogies.
A more conservative Rory?
It is interesting to note that this year Rory has played more conservatively after the tough lessons learned last year, and at Augusta in the past. His lay-up on the 72nd hole to win the AT&T event at Pebble Beach showed us a different, more mature Rory.
Jack, the master strategist with six green jackets, knew the dangerous holes and was always highly respectful of them. The most dangerous tee shots he says are on 2, 10 and 13 with players looking to draw the ball to catch the ‘speed slots’ for that extra 50 yards. The second shot on 11, the tee shot on 12, and the second shot to the par five 15th are the top of his ‘red flag’ shots. One of the best students of Augusta has been Scheffler, whose golf in the last 18 months is arguably better than Tiger at his best.
Magnolia Lane
The entrance up Magnolia Lane, every year, sends chills up the spines of most players. The expectation of the understated perfection that lies ahead of them, and what they might find out in their practice rounds excites them.
The first thing the pros do in their pre-visits to Augusta, is to look carefully at what has been changed from the previous year. It could be newly built greens (like this year), a tree gone, or a tee moved. Its all done without comment and is part of the mystique of the place.
The younger players, beg to have practice rounds with past winners, so they can try and pick their brains on the subtleties that are only learned from experience. They all work patiently for three days waiting for the ceremonial bell to be rung by Jack, Gary Player and now Tom Watson at 07.40 am on Thursday morning.
Horses for courses
Augusta is also very much a ‘horses for courses’ place. Look at Fred Couples, who at 65, was thrilled to get a special invite to play this year. And he keeps on making the cut. Left handers love it to, Bubba, Phil, and Mike Weir all past winners.
Robert McIntyre, who has played twice, says he loves the place. As does Shane Lowry who practiced there last week. You must be able to hit it both ways at Augusta, which is why it suits these players with their soft hands and imagination like Seve around the greens.
Another horse for the course is local boy Will Zalatoris, who came so close in 2021, losing by one shot to Matsuyama. I won’t be surprised to see him in contention. De Chambeau also loves the course and has been hitting it obscene lengths in the practice rounds. A drive and eight iron to 13!! His youthful arrogance of years ago has subsided and he could be ready to add this to last year’s US Open title.
Without doubt the player best suited for Augusta is Rory McIlroy. In 2011 he was leading by 4 going into the final round and lost. That scar remains. Jack Nicklaus said back then that he expected Rory to win multiple green jackets. It hasn’t happened and it now remains the one event he covets to join the elite Grand Slam club. It’s hard for him to ignore the ‘noise’ around this especially in the build up period.
Time for Ireland?
He could take a leaf out of Harrington’s book and lie low and rest early in the week. To have enough fuel in the tank to close the deal on the back nine on Sunday. It won’t be easy that’s for sure. But he’s never been in a better place coming into the event. Ireland has a rich history of participating in the Masters. Starting with my father, who was the first Invitee, as an amateur, in 1967. Followed by Harrington, Clarke, McGinley, McDowell, McIlroy, Power and Lowry. Wales, England, and Scotland have all won green jackets with Woosie, Faldo and Lyle respectively. Maybe it’s finally time for Ireland.
The game over the years has a way of rewarding the good guys in golf. Rory McIlroy is one of those guys. Let’s hope his dreams come true next week on the most beautiful canvas in golf, Augusta National.
Roddy Carr – April 2025
Further Reading
