Coming into the first men’s Major of the year, all eyes haven’t just been on defending champion Rory McIlroy, but the prospect of a Masters that would be firmer and faster than usual.
Throughout the week at Augusta National, temperatures have been cruising above the 70s and, with a touch of wind in the air, it’s teased the pallet for a Major which Shane Lowry claimed “could be the toughest Masters we’ve played in a while.”
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More rounds were carded in the 80s than the 60s on Thursday at The Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Saturday, though, was a completely different story. Heavy watering overnight had led to softer conditions, with even World No.1 Scottie Scheffler reporting a mud ball at the par 5 13th.
Scoring average was notably down, as well, as it sat around the 70.8 mark, nearly four shots easier than that of Thursday.
Many voiced their disdain at the fact the course was getable, with users online not pleased with the move to soften the course overnight for Moving Day.
One user tweeted: “Will never forgive Augusta for completely over correcting from the tough conditions on Thursday,” while another wrote “I can’t believe they butchered Augusta with water yesterday morning.”
The general consensus is that the course conditions aren’t correct, given Thursday’s play, but are the complaints justified?
Overall, I’d say no…
Heavy watering took place on Friday evening
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Firstly, having walked the course this morning and afternoon, I felt that it was firm, but fair. Some of the pin positions were tough, while some were slightly more generous.
Yes, low scoring was out there, with Scheffler shooting a seven-under 65, but players still had to go out there and do it!
Many will say the course was designed to bunch the leaderboard together. Soft, getable conditions were…
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