The Masters has announced the tees on hole two will be moved back 10 yards and to the golfer's left.
The second at Augusta National is a raking par-5, 585 yards long. Last year, the average score on 'Pink Dogwood' was 4.6. Clearly determined to make things tougher, the course has made changes.
In a media guide left for journalists, the amendment reads: "Masters tees moved back 10 yards and to the golfer's left." With a fairway bunker on the right side now more perilous than ever, the hole has become tougher for competitors to take on.
Speaking after a practice round with Tiger Woods, Will Zalatoris gave his thoughts on the alteration. "I know it's ten yards back, but thought it was going to be more left," the American said. "In reality, I think it's more the fact that carrying the bunker is completely out of play with the exception of about four or five guys in the field. Used to maybe say 10% of the guys could do it. Now it's maybe a bit more.
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"I think now it's really a premium of hitting that fairway with the driver, you'll have an iron in. If you are back at the top of the hill, you're just not going to get there?"
Usually there is an alteration each year somewhere across the course. Last year, Masters tees at the par-5 13th were moved back a whopping 35 yards. While in 2022, three changes were made.
On the par-4 11th, tees were moved back 15 yards and to the golfer's left. The fairway was also recontoured with several trees removed from the right of the fairway. On the par-5 15th, tees were moved back 20 yards with the fairway recontoured also.
Will Zalatoris gave his thoughts on the change at hole 2And on the 18th, the iconic par-4 with a tunnel-view opening drive that then sweeps up to the right and towards the club house, 13 yards were added to the back of the tee box without the length of the hole changing.
Course designers and chiefs are constantly adding new challenges to compete with the game's modern standards. With club and ball technology and players' physical strength all improving courses are desperately trying to keep up.
In a similar sense, it is also why a golf ball rollback is currently planned for 2028. Though it is mostly opposed, the USGA and R&A believe it to be a necessity. In a joint statement, they say the plans to reduce the ball's distance by 9-15 yards "aims to reduce the impact increased hitting distances have on golf's long-term sustainability while minimizing the impact on the recreational game."
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