Augusta National set for more change ahead of Masters

Changes to Augusta National just keep on coming.

A fresh look to one hole ahead of this year’s showpiece will mark the third consecutive year of change.

In 2022, the 11th, 15th and 18th holes were altered ahead of competition, adding a cumulative total of at least 35 yards to the tee boxes of the iconic holes.

The Georgia club then unveiled a new tee box on the par-5 13th last year.

It lengthened the hole by 35 yards and elevated the tee box by some 24 feet, while the par-3 course was reconfigured to enhance the ‘viewing options’ for patrons.

“A primary goal of the renovation was to make for wider corridors for patrons to move around and to open the viewing options where multiple greens can be seen from one location,” the club said.

Those changes all lead up to 2024, as Jon Rahm returns to defend his green jacket.

• LIV Golf star earns spot in Open Championship

• Greg Norman blasts “laughable” OWGR over LIV snub

The change looks unlikely to make a significant difference, however left-handers could be rubbing their hands.

That is because Pink Dogwood, the par-5 2nd at Augusta, has had a slight facelift. The change will see the tee box moved back 10 yards and to the left, making it the longest hole on the course.

Historically, the second hole has been one of the least changed in Masters history, as it was last renovated in 1999.

Tom Fazio put it under the knife, adding a new back tee to the hole, while the right fairway bunker was shifted markedly to the right.

Statistically one of the easiest holes, the second has ranked among the top five lowest scoring holes since the Masters started.

And in the events first year, it was originally the 11th hole. Since then, it has only been changed six times, while Fazio’s changes over 20 years ago were requested by Ben Hogan in 1978.

• Fury as another Scottish golf course lined up for closure

• Pros call for rule change after Spieth DQ

Hogan asked to remove the fairway bunker, which was itself a result of a 1968 redesign.

Although, not granted at that time, when Fazio relocated it a little to the right, it marked one of the few major changes in the course’s history.

The update to pink Dogwood ahead of the green jacket contest this April were noted after Augusta National shared its annual media guide.

The Masters will take place from April 11-14.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.