Lemont, Ill. – PGA Tour players didn’t exactly turn cartwheels Tuesday when informed that Augusta National Golf Club will be lengthened again. Tee boxes on six holes will be moved back for next year’s Masters, allowing the revered Alister MacKenzie design to play at 7,445 yards.
That’s an increase of 155 yards from the 2005 Masters.
“They’re making it so only a few players can win,” Mark Hensby said after a practice round for the Western Open. “The golf course was difficult as it is. What are they trying to prove?”
In a release, Hootie Johnson, chairman of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament, said change is inevitable.
“Since the first Masters this golf course has evolved, and that process continues today,” Johnson said.
Reasons for the changes were not included in the release. At his annual news conference in April during Masters week, Johnson said he was concerned about Augusta National accommodating inflated driving distances because of advances in club design and hot golf balls.
“We will keep this golf course current with the times,” Johnson said Tuesday.
Holes 1, 4, 7, 11, 15 and 17 are being lengthened. Construction began this month and is to be completed in the fall. Among the most dramatic changes are lengthening of No. 1 by 15 to 20 yards to 455; adding 30 to 35 yards to the fourth hole, making it a 240-yard par 3; increasing the seventh by 35 to 40 yards, making it a 450-yard par 4; and adding 25 to 30 to the par-5 15th, allowing it to play 530 yards.
“Did they also make the greens bigger?” Scott Verplank said. “I guess the scores there are still too low.”
Bob Tway said Nos. 4 and 7 already played plenty tough.
“The green on the fourth hole was very difficult to hit with a 4- or 5-iron at 200 yards,” he said. “I can’t imagine hitting a 3-wood to that green, holy smoke.
“And No. 7 was the tightest hole in golf already. I think the Masters is the most exciting golf tournament of the year. I’d hate for them to do too much.”
Hensby, who tied for fifth in the 2005 Masters, said Augusta National is catering to the big hitters, who have an advantage on a longer layout.
“All they’re trying to do is have the guy who hits it long win every year,” Hensby said. “It sounds like they’re trying to eliminate three-quarters of the field. And they’re doing a good job of it.”
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
