Firethorn lived up to its name Friday. The 15th hole at Augusta National Golf Club was a barb under the fingernails of the world's best golfers in the second round of the Masters Tournament.

The group of Joe Ogilvie (from left), Scott Verplank and Colin Montgomerie all lay up short of the 15th green during the Masters' second round Friday. (Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff)

No. 15 forced two double bogeys, a triple bogey and a quadruple bogey Friday. It yielded its share of birdies - 23 - but countered with nine bogeys, including one that cost Fred Couples sole possession of second place heading into the weekend.

Couples hit his second shot at the 530-yard par-5 into the hazard that fronts the green. Instead of having a shot at eagle and a tie for the lead, he finished in a three-way tie for second at 3 under.

He found the fairway off the tee and had what he estimated as a 4-iron shot into the green. He decided to hit a 5-iron instead after consulting with his caddie.

"I actually smoked it," Couples said. "I thought it was going right at the flag. I thought it was a shot that was going to hit up on the green and stay on the back. It just came up short. That was just a huge letdown."

No. 15 was one of six holes lengthened since the 2005 Masters. The par 5 is the easiest hole in tournament history, with players averaging well under par - 4.505 strokes - on the hole.

Famed architect Tom Fazio moved the tee box to the left and back 30 yards last summer.

The new position has had its desired effect, as golfers can no longer drive the ball to the downslope at the far end of the fairway and give themselves a short iron into the green on the second shot.

"If someone is going to rip the driver, that's a pretty narrow slot to hit going up there," Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson said about the new tee earlier this week. "They have to be accurate. They can't swing from the heels on that hole without taking some risk."

Few did. Of the 90 players, 39 laid up short of the water on their second shot. The list included big hitters Vijay Singh and Davis Love III.

The hole surrendered just one eagle Friday, to Lucas Glover. Four eagles were made in the first round, but the wind wasn't blowing Thursday.

Where eagles dare: Players must choose on No. 15

No. 15, Par 5, 530 yards:

The tee was moved back 30 yards and shifted 20 yards to the golfer's left to give this hole a slightly different look. Again, the intent was to put a longer club in the players' hands for the second shot, making the decision to go for the green in two shots more challenging. The added length to the 15th hole gave players a tougher decision on whether to go for the par 5's green in two shots. A look at which club players chose to hit over the water in two or if they layed up (LU), and their score:

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