“Like asking to touch up the Mona Lisa” – Fred Ridley dismisses controversial Augusta suggestion

As Augusta National prepares to debut its newly-lengthened second hole during this week’s Masters Tournament, speculation has already turned to which of the famous course’s holes might be next for a facelift.

According to Fred Ridley, you can rule out that being the iconic par-3 12th.

In his customary pre-tournament media conference, the club chairman was asked about the prospect of ‘Golden Bell’ being made longer in order to keep up with modern hitting distances.

Currently, the hole measures 155 yards and is the shortest of the four par-3s on the course.

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Former champion Vijay Singh said earlier this week that the hole should be lengthened “by at least ten yards”, adding: “I think it would be a much more challenging hole if people were hitting a 6-iron or a 7-iron instead of a 9-iron or wedge.”

Two-time Masters winner Ben Crenshaw – who has found considerable success as a course designer in recent times – endorsed Singh’s suggestion, calling it “not a bad idea”.

The message from Ridley? Not on my watch.

“I would say with a hundred percent certainty that it will not be lengthened during my tenure,” he said. “That’s almost like asking, you know, can we touch up the Mona Lisa a little bit.

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“I think that the 12th hole at Augusta is the most iconic par-3 in the world. It has been and I won’t say it always will be, but I think it always will be.”

He added: “I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about the topography, the trees, the wind, the beauty that just captures your imagination. When you combine that with the history that’s been made there, I mean, the most recent being the tragedies and triumphs when Tiger Woods won in 2019. You know, Freddie Couples’ ball hanging up on the edge of Rae’s Creek, which was made part of the song ‘Augusta.

“I just think it is such an iconic hole that’s had so many important moments in the Masters that I’m not sure that another ten yards would really make a difference.

“Players are hitting short irons, but doesn’t seem to matter, the hole is very difficult.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor