AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta National added 25 yards to the par-5 13th hole since last year’s Masters, aiming to restore the integrity of the course’s easiest hole and forcing competitors to make a ‘momentous decision,’ aligning with the original intent of club co-founder Bobby Jones.
For some, the combination of extra distance and the severe right-to-left slope in the fairway landing area means the decision has already been made.
It’s no surprise that shorter hitters like Brian Harman and Kevin Kisner now view the 535-yard 13th as a traditional three-shotter. Unless conditions change drastically between now and Thursday, they’ll lay up to a comfortable yardage for their approach and try to stick it close with a wedge.
They won’t be alone lofting a shot over the tributary of Rae’s Creek.
The 2020 champion Dustin Johnson – one of golf’s most powerful players – said Monday it’s likely he’ll join them in playing the hole conservatively. Johnson’s left-to-right ball flight off the tee doesn’t fit a hole bending in the opposite direction.
“Yeah, most likely I’ll be laying up all four days unless depending on the wind and you get a good one down there,” Johnson said. “Yeah, it definitely made the hole more difficult. Obviously guys that can turn the driver over, it helps them out. It’s not really my forte with the driver hitting a draw. Still can make a 4. So there’s a lot of ways to do that.”
Rory McIlroy consults with his caddie Harry Diamond before hitting to the No. 13 green during a practice round ahead of the 2023 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Network)
Subpar scores have always flowed freely on the final leg of Amen Corner. It’s yielded 124 eagles in the last 10 Masters and been the course’s easiest hole five of the past nine years, never ranking higher than 16th in difficulty in the span.
Jeff Maggert holed a 3-iron from 222 for an albatross in 1992. Phil Mickelson hit a brilliant 6-iron from an uneven lie off the pine straw in the right pine trees in 2010 en route to a third green jacket.
But the perceived problem in recent years was pros blasting bombs over the towering pines left of the fairway, leaving only a short iron or wedge for their second shot.
While the new tee box makes the tee shot somewhat easier, the mid-to-long iron second shot off a sidehill lie is somewhat scary for even the most seasoned pro.
“It’s exactly what I thought it was for me,” Billy…
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