Skip to content

The Masters: Golf fans suggest Jordan Spieth will be a victim of Augusta’s new hole

  • by

Golf fans on social media were already speculating about the fate of Jordan Spieth at the 2023 Masters after drone footage revealed Augusta National has finally completed work extending the iconic par-5 13th.

For so many years Azalea was the hole that players pinpointed as their chance to move up the leaderboard.

If you can somehow navigate the famous par-3 12th – Golden Bell – without hitting one in the water then you have a very scorable opportunity.

Or, if your name is Phil Mickelson you’ll give yourself a chance for eagle anyway – even if you’re in the pine straw.

Related: LIV Golf “wanted to recruit” at Augusta National

At the 86th Masters, the hole played 510 yards. To you and I, that’s likely a driver and then two more strokes to get to the green.

Rory McIlroy hit 3-wood off the tee last year and had 203 yards into the green. Yeah…with a 3-wood.

Judging by the drone footage from Eureka Earth, this strategy employed by the bombers will likely no longer be an option.

On Tuesday morning, the pictures published by Eureka Earth showed that construction seems to be complete.

I mean, to the naked eye that looks like around 40 or 50 yards longer.

Augusta National are typically secretive and it’s unlikely we’ll know any more information until we reach tournament week.

The chairman of Augusta National – Fred Ridley – previously spoke of his issues with driving distances.

Related: Masters chief “told players” not to play for LIV

In 2018, Augusta National bought the land from Augusta Country Club sitting behind the 12th and 13th tee boxes.

They paid $28m for the land, according to reports.

It led to speculation as to what they were going to do.

Back then, Ridley said:

“There’s a great quote from Bobby Jones which deals with the 13th hole, which has been lengthened. He said ‘the decision to go for the green in two should be a momentous one’. And I have to say, our observations of these great players hitting irons into that hole is not a momentary decision.

He added:

“There is an issue that needs to be addressed. It’s going to be a collective decision. We will do whatever is necessary and my hope is that every organization, every stakeholder, will look at this issue. We fully appreciate that we do not want to make golf harder.”

Of course, after the pictures were published there was a flurry of activity online about the new-look hole.

Some were even suggesting that none other than the aforementioned Spieth was likely to be the first big name to come unstuck here.

One person wrote: “Jordan’s gonna birdie 12 and then dunk one right in the water off the tee at 13, isn’t he?”

WATCH ONE OF JORDAN SPIETH’S BEST SHOTS HERE:

Here’s some more reaction:

What do you make of the changes? Who are you picking to win the 2023 Masters? Rory McIlroy is the current betting favourite. Will he end his major drought?

Next page: Jim Nantz reveals when he will quit calling the action at The Masters

.

Tags: