Inside Track: The Masters

Last updated: 8th April 2009

Our man Harry Emanuel brings you his pre-tournament analysis.

Masters Tournament

Course: Augusta National Golf Club
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Since: 1934
Yardage: 7,435
Par: 72
Low winning total: 270 (-18) Tiger Woods (1997)
Course Record: 63 Nick Price (1986) Greg Norman (1996)
Field: 96
Cut: After 36 holes low 44 and ties plus players within 10 strokes of the leader
Tee Off: Thursday 13.00 GMT

Overview

The Masters is the first of the four major golf championships and unlike the other majors it is held at the same location each year, Augusta National Golf Club.

There have been 14 non-American winners since 1980. Jose Maria Olazabal was the last European winner in 1999 and Nick Faldo's win in 1996 was the last by an Englishman.

Experience plays a great part in contending at Augusta National. Since the second running of the Masters in 1935 only one rookie has won the tournament, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Jack Nicklaus became the oldest winner of the Masters in 1986 when he won for the sixth time aged 46.

Last Time Out

Trevor Immelman shot a final-round 75 at Augusta National a year ago to win the Masters by three strokes over Tiger Woods.

Immelman took the tournament lead at the halfway point, extended his advantage to two strokes through 54 holes and then held on.

Immelman is attempting to become the first player since Woods in 2002 to successfully defend his title. Only Woods, Jack Nicklaus (1965-66) and Nick Faldo (1989-90) have won back-to-back Masters titles.

Course

The course now measures 7,435 yards making it the second longest for a major championship behind the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits which plays 7,514 yards.

Tournament founder Bobby Jones made innumerable modifications to the layout, and that philosophy continues to this day.

In 2001, the course measured 6,925 yards from the Masters tees. It was lengthened to 7,270 yards for 2002, and again in 2006 to 7,435 yards.

The tree-lined course has multiple elevation changes, undulating fairways and raised slopey greens with fast run-offs.

Fairways

The conventional wisdom has always been players heading the driving distance statistics have a distinct advantage at Augusta. Over recent years that wisdom has become distorted into 'only long drivers of the ball can win'.

Recent winners Zach Johnson (2007) and Mike Weir (2003) serve as a reminder that length is only an advantage, not a prerequisite, to winning the Masters.

After Tiger Woods' runaway victory in 1997 a second cut of rough was added which punishes erratic tee shots by creating a flyer lie. With new trees added on various holes in 2006 (particularly 7,9,11 and 15) Augusta provides a sterner test off the tee than in years gone by.

Greens

Augusta is first and foremost a second-shot course. The large, fast, slopey greens require accurate approach shots to the correct part of the green to leave players with makeable birdie putts.

Wayward approach shots which miss the green or the pin location on the wrong side can leave near impossible chips and putts.

The unique feature of Augusta is the slope and speed of the greens which are the most difficult players ever face. Their short game and putting techniques will face a rigorous examination.

They said

"Now you have to drive the ball well to win here. Before you could spray it all over the place and it didn't matter. It's playing a lot more difficult and a lot more penal off the tee" - Tiger Woods

"Your short game has to be impeccable because these are the most demanding greens that we'll ever face" - Phil Mickelson

"I think it's a real test of not just your nerve but of your ability to strike the ball" - Padraig Harrington

Horses for Courses

Tiger Woods missed the cut on first visit to the Masters in 1996 but since then he has never looked back winning four times (1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005).

His first victory by 12 strokes in 1997 made him the youngest ever winner at 21 years of age. He has been runner up the last two years and also boasts three other top 10 finishes.

Key Holes

Writer Herbert Warren Wind gave the moniker "Amen Corner" to holes 11, 12 and 13 because of the seemingly miraculous way in which Arnold Palmer played those holes on the final day in 1958.

The 11th (White Dogwood) is a 505 yard par 4. It is a hole to be feared since the tee was moved back 10-15 yards three years ago and with water front and left of the green par is an excellent score.

The 12th (Golden Bell) is a 155 yard par 3. It is probably the most famous par three in golf. The green is very narrow with water in front and trouble at the back. It's seen everything from a one (three times) to Tom Weiskopf's 13 in 1980.

The 13th (Azalea) is a 510 yard par 5. A massive dogleg left with Rae's Creek running down the left side and then in front of the green. Scores have ranged from Jeff Maggert's albatross two in 1994 to Tommy Nakajima's 13 in 1978. Reachable in two shots birdie is a must.

Last year Trevor Immleman played Amen Corner in 3 under par on his way to an 8 under winning total.

Weather

Look back at the tournament history and you'll see a pattern of weather delays. Although an entire round has not been cancelled since 1983, six of the past ten tournaments have been hit by rain and this year will prove no exception.

After a bright start cool, wet and windy conditions are expected on Friday. The weather should brighten up again from Saturday lunchtime and perfect playing conditions are forecast for Sunday.

Conclusion

A combination of experience, long straight driving, accurate approach play, an excellent short game and steely putting nerve will be needed to win.