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Posted April 7, 2018, 5:37 pm
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No. 13's challenge has faded in recent years at Augusta National

Changes ahead?
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    No. 13's challenge has faded in recent years at Augusta National
    Photos description

    No. 13 is the second-easiest hole in Masters history, and most players can now reach the green in two. A land acquisition could lead to the tee box being pushed back. [ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

  • Article Photos
    No. 13's challenge has faded in recent years at Augusta National
    Photos description

    Members of the grounds crew work on the 13th green during Friday's round. [ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

  • Article Photos
    No. 13's challenge has faded in recent years at Augusta National
    Photos description

    Patrick Reed lines up a putt near Rae's Creek on No. 13 during Friday's round of the Masters Tournament. [ANDY NELSON/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

Going for the green in two at Augusta National’s 13th hole used to cause indigestion for golfers.

The final leg of Amen Corner is considered the ultimate risk-reward hole. Hit two good shots, and a Masters competitor can walk away with birdie or eagle. Hit one poor shot, and he can make bogey or worse.

The premise of the hole hasn’t changed since Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie designed the course in the early 1930s. Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer each hit woods onto the green and made eagle in the final round of their first Masters victories.

But the hole has become much easier in recent years thanks to advancements in golf ball and equipment technology. At 510 yards, most players can reach the green in two with a 3-wood off the tee and a mid-iron second shot.

That concerns Augusta National’s leadership, which wants the course to play true to its Jones-MacKenzie roots.

LEARN MORE: Course Tour | No. 13 - Azalea

“There’s a great quote from Bobby Jones dealing specifically with the 13th hole, which has been lengthened over time, and he said that the decision to go for the green in two should be a momentous one,” Augusta National and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley said Wednesday. “And I would have to say that our observations of these great players hitting middle and even short irons into that hole is not a momentous decision.”

Augusta National acquired land from neighboring Augusta Country Club last summer, and it could push the tee box back on the iconic hole.

The 13th hole is the second-easiest in Masters history. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t caused heartburn for those in the Masters hunt.

Amateur Billy Joe Patton found the tributary of Rae’s Creek in 1954, and he missed out on the Sam Snead-Ben Hogan playoff by a shot. Curtis Strange found the water in 1985 and lost by two.

Even with a middle or short iron in their hands, players still have to execute the shot.

“The second shot, you forget that green’s not that big and water is right there and a gully on the left is just off the green,” three-time champion Nick Faldo said. “If you’re 15 feet off line, your landing spot, you can end up in the creek. So it looks like a bad shot but it’s not even close to a bad shot.”

Faldo famously hit a long iron off the pine straw at No. 13 to set up a birdie in his 1996 win. Through the years, the goal at the short par-5 has always been the same.

“You know 13 is a great opportunity, somehow you’ve got to make a 4,” Faldo said.

 

No. 11 - White Dogwood

Par 4, 505 yards

The start of Amen Corner is the most difficult hole in recent years because of its added length. A slight fade off the tee is necessary to reach the fairway. The greenside pond is more of a factor, because players have longer shots into the green.

 

No. 12 - Golden Bell

Par 3, 155 yards

The shortest hole is a bear to play because of swirling winds. Its usually a medium- or short-iron shot to a narrow green that is protected by Raes Creek in front and azaleas behind.

No. 13 - Azalea

Par 5, 510 yards

The classic risk-reward hole became more challenging with a new tee added in 2002. A slight draw is required to get into position for the second shot to the par-5, but a tributary of the creek catches shots that come up short.

ON THIS DATE

1935: Gene Sarazen won the tournament’s first playoff, a 36-hole affair against Craig Wood.

1951: Ben Hogan shot a bogey-free 68 to win his first Masters.

1956: Jack Burke Jr. rallied from a record eight shots back to nip amateur Ken Venturi by one shot.

1990: Nick Faldo defeated Raymond Floyd on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to become just the second golfer to win back-to-back Masters.

2001: Tiger Woods won his fourth consecutive major title with a final-round 68.

2007: Zach Johnson shot 69 in blustery conditions to win. His 1-over-par 289 total matched the highest in tournament history.

2012: Bubba Watson defeated Louis Oosthuizen in a sudden-death playoff with an improbable shot from the trees right of the 10th fairway. Oosthuizen recorded a double eagle on the par-5 second hole, using a 4-iron from 253 yards.