This past week, the criticism has been mounting against Augusta National and the lack of scoring opportunities on the course. Geoff Shackelford wrote in Golf World earlier this month that this year's playing of the Masters marks the ten year anniversary of the "second cut." Larry Dorman of the New York Times elaborates...
That neither Tiger Woods, nor anyone else, was able to mount a Sunday charge to overtake Immelman has been cited as further proof that the Masters has been turned into a United States Open with a coat of green paint...
There can be no doubt that the 1-inch fuzz on the face of Augusta has reduced the ability of long hitters to bomb drives into spots on the edges of holes that used to set up better angles into greens. The freedom that came from not worrying about the penalty the second cut exacted — reducing the spin on iron shots, thus reducing control — is gone. There is no disputing that the addition of a pine forest along the right side of the 11th hole, coupled with its lengthening by 50 yards to make it a 505-yard par 4, has toughened it.
Bob Harig on ESPN.com makes a similar Masters-U.S. Open comparision...
Roars have been replaced by moans, birdies by bogeys, thrills by chills. Maybe it is the blustery weather, a big factor in the past two Masters. But something is definitely missing at Augusta National...
Billy Payne, the Masters chairman, said in his pretournament news conference that he was pleased with the setup of the course. But he also acknowledged that he keeps close tabs on every hole. And no doubt his ears will tell him that his tournament was not as loud this year.
I don't know if I see it as a problem that there were less roars, but it would be nice to see some lower scores.
