AUGUSTA – Augusta National Golf Club supports the golf ball rollback spearheaded by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) and would prefer the Masters is never contested on a layout greater than 8,000 yards, chairman Fred Ridley said on April 10.
For almost 70 years the Masters had been played on a layout that was less than 7,000 yards, but this week’s edition has been extended to 7,550 yards and Ridley believes that is inching closer to the course’s limitations.
“I’ve said in the past that I hope we will not play the Masters at 8,000 yards. But that is likely to happen in the not-too-distant future under current standards,” he said.
“Accordingly, we support the decisions that have been made by the R&A and the USGA as they have addressed the impact of distance at all levels of the game.”
Last December, the USGA and the R&A announced in a joint statement that in an effort to reduce the effects of distance in the sport, they would change how golf balls will be tested for conformity.
As such, the governing bodies said that starting in 2028 the game’s longest hitters can expect a reduction of 13-15 yards (11.9-13.7m) in drive distance via testing conditions that will increase from the current standard of 120mph (193kmh) swing speed to 125mph.
While Augusta National has made holes longer to keep up with the power of today’s big hitters and still has the ability to make other changes to protect the integrity of the famed course, Ridley conceded it does have limits.
“So I think we have some time to look and see what’s going to happen. We have some more room, but we don’t have a lot,” he added. “So I’m holding to that 8,000-yard red line, and I just hope we never get there.”
For the 2024 Masters, the only change was at the par-five second hole named Pink Dogwood.
The hole was already the longest on the course and this week will measure 585 yards after the tee box was positioned 10 yards further back and to the left.
But while many holes have been lengthened over the years to protect the competitive integrity of the layout, Ridley said “with a 100 per cent certainty” the picturesque par-three 12th would never be made longer during his tenure.
Golden Bell, which at 155 yards is the shortest hole on the course, is one of the world’s most famous golf holes and its fickle winds, narrow green and looming water have thwarted many runs for the Masters title.
“That’s almost like asking, you know, can we touch up the Mona Lisa a little bit,” said Ridley.
“It is such an iconic hole that’s had so many important moments in the Masters that I’m not sure that another 10 yards would really make a difference.
“Players are hitting short irons, but it doesn’t seem to matter – the hole is very difficult.”
Ridley also said that the Masters would continue to do its part to ensure the game’s best players gather for 2024’s first Major regardless of which tour they compete in.
As this week’s event began on April 11, Rickie Fowler shrugged off the spectre of the Masters Par 3 Contest jinx a day earlier by winning the light-hearted nine-hole event at Augusta.
Fowler, with wife Allison as his caddie and young daughter Maya in tow, won the event that has long been a highlight of Masters week with a five-under 22.
Austria’s Sepp Straka, American J. T. Poston, and Mexico’s Santiago de la Fuente finished two strokes back.
First played in 1960 and won by Sam Snead, no Par 3 Contest winner has won the Masters the same year as his short-course victory, which has only further ingrained the idea of a supposed jinx put on the event’s winners.
But Fowler did not seem bothered as he shifts his focus on upgrading the crystal trophy he won for a Green Jacket.
“Great way to start... Special place. One of my favourites. I’m looking forward to getting started,” he said. REUTERS
