The least-watched hole in the 2002 Masters Tournament may be one of the most-viewed next year.

When the world's best golfers return for the 67th Masters, the par-4 fifth hole is expected to be a hot topic of conversion.

The hole, which is situated on the far southeastern side of the course and draws fewer fans than any other for that reason, probably will play longer than this year's 435 yards.

Nicknamed "Magnolia," No. 5 played as the ninth-toughest hole (4.061 average) in the 2001 Masters and was the seventh-toughest this year, playing to an average of 4.158. The higher scoring average this year could be attributed to the soggy fairway on the uphill hole, which cut down on roll.

After wholesale changes to nine holes this year that added 285 yards to the course, nothing dramatic is expected for 2003.

It does appear that No. 5 is the next hole in line for a redesign. Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Hootie Johnson said as much last week.

"We have got to do something with No. 5, no question about it," Johnson said. "It will probably involve moving the bunkers. We don't plan to move No. 4 green. It's been rumored that we are going to move No. 4 green so we could move No. 5 tee back. We are not going to do that. But we are going to address the weaknesses of the fifth hole."

Historically, when an Augusta National chairman says something is in the planning stage during a Masters, it is completed by the next year's tournament.

Some players, such as Davis Love III, expect the tee on No. 5 to be moved back. He's noticed small red flags among the bamboo and brush behind the fourth green, which is located adjacent to the fifth tee. The flags may be used to mark the sight lines for the new tee.

"It's a good enough idea, whatever they do," Love said. "It's in great shape when they change holes. I think the holes are prettier off the tee."

"Might as well," Fred Couples said of lengthening No. 5. "I love the changes. I think they know what they're doing here. They could change every hole in 10 years."

The difficulty with the fifth hole is the undulating green, one of the most severe on the course. With players now hitting shorter irons into the green, they can stop the ball on that hole easily. If theyhit longer ones, it will require a bump-and-run, a shot that hits in front of the green and rolls on it.

"I hit wedge into that hole every day, so as far as I'm concerned they can make it longer," Charles Howell said. "But those were really good tee shots. The hardest thing about that hole is the green. We played it when it was soft. If the green got hard, I would still have a hard time hitting wedge into that hole. Making that hole longer and leaving the green the same, that would be a tough hole."

It's gotten to the point that players expect to see changes to the course each year.

"That's the history of this place," Jesper Parnevik said. "Whether it's lengthening, adding trees or bunkers, they always do something. It won't be anything out of the ordinary if they decide to make changes."

PGA Championship winner David Toms, who played the fifth hole in even-par for the tournament, is one of the few players who predicts the fifth hole won't change.

"I don't believe that's going to happen," Toms said of changing the hole. "No. 5's a good hole. It's very difficult to get it close to the pin no matter what club you're hitting in there."