AUGUSTA, Georgia — Gene Sarazen holed his second shot for an albatross in the last round of the 1935 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, and won the second Masters Tournament in a 36-hole playoff the next day.
Since then, the par 5 has remained one of golf’s most spectacular courses, having been extended to 550 yards this year. On Sunday afternoons, eagles and birdies have helped Masters candidates win. The momentum of the Pars has been stifled. Green jacket hopes have been shattered by bogeys and doubles.
However, the extra 20 yards and terrible weather conditions negated most of the risk-reward drama from the previous 15 holes through 54 holes this year. As the most challenging of the course’s four par 5s this week and the fourth easiest hole overall, the second-easiest hole in tournament history has played to a 4.97 stroke average. A modest par felt like a minor victory for the world’s finest on Saturday, with a frigid wind blowing in their faces.
“Everyone has to deal with it,” Justin Thomas said after tying for seventh place with an even-par 72. “You won’t see many threes, but gosh, that wedge shot is tough.” It’s difficult to put into words how difficult that wedge shot is today. There aren’t many par 5s on the course. I’m happy with a 5 walking away, but it was one of those days.”
To prove his case, three of the top eight players had made bogey on 15 on Saturday after 54 holes, and none had made birdie.
“It’s just windy.” Rory McIlroy stated, “There are no easy birdies.” “Even the par 5s aren’t — they’re usually sort of, not certain 4s, but you get the feeling they’re holes where you’ll likely pick up strokes.” Depending on how the wind is blowing, a 5 is a good score and you just go on.”
Only 19 of 52 players attempted, and only four succeeded, to reach the green in two strokes in the third round, despite the tee marks being placed toward the front of the new box. Laying up short of the pond in two strokes resulted in worse scoring for the first time this week. The average score for players who went for the green in two was 5.21, while the average score for those who laid up was 5.0.
Only 65 players have attempted to reach the green with their second shot due to a strong west wind that has plagued Augusta National for the opening three days. Only 12 people were able to locate the putting surface. At 15, no eagle has been scored, and 54 birdies have been made, compared to 111 in last year’s competition.
Being aggressive throughout the first two days resulted in lower scores. On Thursday, the 20 golfers who attempted the 15th hole averaged 4.55, while those who opted to lay up averaged 4.9. As the wind speeds increased in the second round, the margin narrowed. The two-shot majority averaged 4.65, while the three-shot majority averaged 4.92.
To even consider trying to launch their second shot over the pond, golfers have needed a tee shot of at least 290 yards into the wind. Only five players in the third round hit that distance off the tee.
Competitors and caddies agreed earlier in the week that if a long iron or fairway metal was necessary, they would be hesitant to go for the green on their second shot. Water and a steep bank in front of the hard, tabletop green make for a tough pitch (or potentially additional water) for golfers who go long on their second shot.
The game’s best players have been accustomed to putting mid to short irons into the green for their second shot in recent years. As a result of the attack, Augusta National management decided to lengthen the hole in order to restore its integrity. In the 1970s and 1980s, it wasn’t uncommon to see contenders hit a second shot to the green with a 2-iron or 4-wood.
Second shots with a short iron aren’t ideal, but 15 as a three-shot hole may be even worse. The par-3 16th hole might sometimes catch a contender off guard – as it did for Xander Schauffele a year ago – but the 15th is usually the last chance for a three- or even four-shot swing as the shadows lengthen and the sun filters through the trees with the green jacket hanging in the balance.
However, there may be assistance on the way.
The fairways should be firmer now that the five inches of rain that rained Tuesday and Wednesday have passed. On Sunday, the weather will be more seasonable, with fewer winds.
For those chasing Scottie Scheffler, or whoever is leading the Masters halfway through the second nine, the combination should allow for longer drives and more decisions. For the first three rounds, the roars — and groans — on the 15th hole have been hushed.
It’ll be strange to be at Augusta without them on Sunday.
