Don't look for the Augusta National Golf Club to show 18-hole coverage of the final round of the Masters Tournament anytime soon.

Time constraint, not cost or other problems, is the deciding factor on how much golf is shown, Augusta National chairman Jack Stephens said Wednesday.

``We think the time that we devote during our telecast that people see almost as much golf,'' he said during his annual State of the Masters address. ``If we had to add sponsors to do it, I just don't think that it would continue to carry maybe the excitement, the quality. We're just reluctant to do that.''

Over the years, Augusta National has gradually increased the amount of front-nine holes televised by CBS. Last year CBS began its final-round coverage on the middle of the front nine, and Stephens said, ``we can show selected shots back of that.''

This year, CBS will televise the Masters for the 43rd consecutive year. Saturday's coverage will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and Sunday's telecast will run from 4 to 7 p.m.

The USA network will televise the rounds today and Friday from 4-6:30 p.m.

Although Stephens acknowledges that shots played on the front nine are often as important as those played on the back, showing the front nine would remove the mystique surrounding those holes.

``People who come to the tournament make the tournament -- the patrons,'' he said. ``But the fact that they see things on the front side, by virtue of being here, the television audience doesn't see something.

``Now, we're not scared of having a tournament and nobody showing up. But still, I think there's value added to the ticket when they see shots that nobody else does.''

Selling tickets to the three practice rounds in advance will continue, and Stephens said he doesn't foresee any changes. ``Of course, changes have occurred (in the past),'' he said.

Stephens also said allocation of tickets for the Augusta area will continue to remain strong.

``Let me assure you that local people are not (being cut back),'' he said. ``We know where our support comes from, where it always has. We're very careful in allocation.''

Two-time Masters winner Ben Hogan's absence was noted at Tuesday night's Champions Dinner, Stephens said. Hogan, the winner in 1951 and '53, died last summer. He came up with the idea to have the annual gathering of champions. The first event was held in 1952.

As chairman of Augusta National, Stephens gets invited to the Champions Dinner. Although much ado was made over Tiger Woods' choice of cheeseburgers and shakes for the main course, at least one person didn't mind.

``I did have a very good cheeseburger and a milkshake,'' Stephens said. ``Goes good with wine.''

If Casey Martin ever qualifies for the Masters, Augusta National will go along with the legal ruling in effect at the time. Martin, who is legally disabled, sued the PGA Tour earlier this year for the right to use a cart during competition because of a congenital birth defect. He won the case, but it is being appealed.

``We'd honor whatever legal requirement there is at the time,'' said Will Nicholson, chairman of the Masters rules and competition committee. ``We'll look at it if he qualifies next year or the year after or the year following that.''

Augusta National abides by United States Golf Association rules for its play, but it is unclear what stance the club would take in case Martin qualifies.