How Augusta National Has Changed Since Last Year’s Masters

Augusta National is a forever-changing masterpiece. They say don’t mess with perfection, but that’s why this golf course is on a level all by itself. The folks in Georgia aren’t afraid to make changes where and when they’re needed.

Of course, some of the changes that can be seen at Augusta National this year weren’t exactly planned. Thanks to Hurricane Helene, the host of the year’s first major championship lost a substantial amount of trees and the game’s best have noticed.

“I have heard a few things. I'm not going to say who. Somebody did tell me you can hit a high cut over the cabins on 10. I don't believe it,” Jon Rahm said. “I don't see there's a chance where so many trees fell where that's a possibility. And after I said this, I'm pretty sure there might be a tree right there next to the tee tomorrow morning.

“The one thing I have heard from members is if you've been there before, you can tell there's a difference. When you're looking down the property, you can see a little bit further down. It doesn't necessarily play significantly different, but visually there is a change.”

Unfortunately the change of scenery did not agree with Rahm's game during the first round of the tournament—he bogeyed the tenth en route to a 3-over 75 and has some work to do to climb from his T63 spot on the leaderboard.

The man chasing the Career Grand Slam noticed the same thing.

“There are a couple tee shots that are maybe a little less visually intimidating, thinking like a tee shot like 10 with a little bit of that tree loss on the left side,” Rory McIlroy said. “Your target there is that sort of TV or that camera tower down there at the bottom of the hill. You used to not be able to see that, and now you can see that pretty clearly. Visually it looks like you don't have to turn the ball as much as you used to.

“There's a little bit more room on the right side of 3 if you want to hit driver up there. There's a couple overhanging trees that aren't there anymore. But really, apart from that, I think it's pretty much the same. But definitely a couple of tee shots that look a little bit different.”

During the first round of the tournament, McIlroy birdied No. 3 and made par on No. 10 to leave Thursday even at T27.

Photo: Getty Images

As for the planned changes, there are four new greens.

“You've got the four new greens on 1, 8, 15 and 16, which I think everyone saw the ladies playing here on Saturday that those greens always are a little bit firmer, especially 15, for example, watching the balls shoot through that green,” McIlroy said.