The heat is on Billy Payne. In his first two years as Chairman of the Masters, he has issued green jackets to Zach Johnson and Trevor Immelman. Members of elite Augusta National wonder whether the new boys belong.
What happened to Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods throwing haymakers on the back nine? What happened to the Sunday drama? What happened to the world’s greatest golf tournament?
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Starting Thursday morning, when Arnold Palmer strikes the ceremonial first shot, the Masters hopes to dispel the notion that it has become a cruel reality show — “Survivor, Augusta.”
Last year’s final round was must flee TV as Immelman shot a 75 and actually increased his lead over Woods.
“You don’t shoot low rounds around here any more,” lamented four-time champion Woods. “You’ve just got to plod along. It’s more like playing in a U.S. Open than a Masters.”
Alterations by architect Tom Fazio have helped turn the roars into yawns. He lengthened the course, introduced rough, narrowed fairways, added some trees, and, voila, Augusta had become dental surgery.
But this go-round, some of the changes have been rolled back. For the first time in 28 years, the course will be shorter, officially by only 10 yards. But it should play considerably shorter as tee boxes have been stretched forward to allow for more flexibility depending on day-to-day conditions.
The steroid-injected seventh hole, transformed from a 350-yard birdie opportunity to a 450-yard beast by Fazio, will return to its original tee for at least one day of the tournament, giving players a more realistic chance to hold the small, heavily-guarded green.
Perhaps the best way to restore excitement on the back nine Sunday would be for the weather to cooperate. Chilly, dry, windy conditions the last two years have rendered the course hard and fast.
The forecast for Thursday is sunny with a high of 74 degrees, followed by rain and 75 degrees Friday.
“Hopefully we can get some good weather,” said Woods last month. “Guys will be a little more aggressive and create a little more excitement.”
