You can hear them all over Augusta National Golf Club.

A low roar from the 15th green when an eagle is made.

A collective groan from the patrons at Amen Corner when a golfer finds the water at Rae's Creek.

A huge cheer when the victor sinks the winning putt at the 18th hole.

These are the sounds of Masters Sunday as the drama unfolds over the final nine holes.

Fourteen of Augusta National's 18 holes have been altered in the past decade, but it hasn't diminished the Sunday product. Eagles and birdies can be had all over the course, particularly with the traditional final-round pin placements.

The golf course committee typically sets up the course as a stern test for the whole field. After the cut is made Friday, the course typically yields more red numbers.

Augusta National and Masters Tournament Chairman Hootie Johnson came under fire this year for his latest changes but defended the course at his annual State of the Masters news conference.

"We're just trying to have a good test of golf on our golf course under the best possible conditions,'' he said.

In the first two rounds, tournament officials got their wish as the course played fast and firm in dry conditions. Through two rounds, 23 eagles had been made, including four on par-4 holes where players holed shots from the fairway.

Of course, a little luck never hurts, either.

"Well, it is a matter of a few feet here, and it can make the difference between a birdie and a double bogey," Luke Donald said after Friday's round. "You need the breaks occasionally around here to compete and have a chance."

The pin placements for Sundays are receptive to great shots, but the players have to execute.

There's no telling what will happen today, but if history is any indication, there should be plenty of action on the final nine.

Consider what happened in 2004:

- Ernie Els eagled Nos. 8 and 13.

- K.J. Choi holed out from the fairway on the 11th for an eagle.

- Kirk Triplett and Padraig Harrington made holes-in-one at No. 16 in consecutive groups.

- And Phil Mickelson birdied five of the last seven holes, including the 18th, to win his first major.

The 2005 Masters wasn't short on excitement, either:

- Donald eagled both par-5s on the final nine.

- Trevor Immelman made a hole-in-one on No. 16.

- And Tiger Woods holed an improbable chip shot for birdie on the 16th, then held on to defeat Chris DiMarco on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.

There's an old saying that the Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday. That's not really true, but that is when the excitement seems to begin.

Reach John Boyette at (706) 823-3337 or john.boyette@augustachronicle.com