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Players agree: It's longer than normal
Posted: Friday April 11, 2003 11:15 PM
Updated: Saturday April 12, 2003 3:13 AM
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A sea of mud covers walkways throughout Augusta National Golf Club during the second round. Because of the club's pumping system, the greens were fairly dry. Jonathan Ernst/AugustaChronicle |
Many adjectives have been used to describe Augusta National Golf Club's layout through the years, but only one word applied Friday.
Long.
The 93-player field, almost to a man, described the course as playing longer than ever. More than four inches of rain saturated the course this week, allowing little roll in the soggy fairways.
"Wow," three-time Masters champion Gary Player said. "Longest I've ever seen it since I've played here."
Augusta National measures 7,290 yards after changes made over the past two years added 305 yards. But without the normally firm fairways, players said the course played much longer Friday.
"The golf course is playing exceptionally long," two-time winner Jose Maria Olazabal said. "It is tough. You're hitting long irons into greens."
The course played to an average score of 76.20 in the first round Friday. Only four eagles were recorded, and above-par scoring was the rule rather than the exception: The field carded a collective 443 bogeys, 57 double bogeys and seven others (higher than double bogey).
Because Thursday's round was washed out, play began Friday at 7:30 a.m. Tournament officials attempted to get two rounds in, but play was halted by darkness at 7:30 p.m. with 75 golfers on the course.
Many in the field agreed with Player's assessment.
"Without a doubt, this is the longest I've seen it play," said Charlie Coody, the 1971 winner. "At 7:30, it was cold, damp, wet and sloppy. It was the most difficult I've ever seen the course play."
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Charles Howell walks through the No. 6 crosswalk heading to the green. Howell's first-round score was 1-over-par 73. On the water-saturated course, the average Round 1 score was 76.20. Andrew Davis Tucker/AugustaChronicle |
Added Sandy Lyle, the 1988 champion: "It is just tricky and long. It played about 7,600 yards. There is no run."
Although tournament officials made it clear that the ball would be played down - no lifting, cleaning and placing - few players complained about the muddy conditions.
"Cold, wet, windy," said Jeff Sluman. "A little bit smelly, muddy - not too bad. Not that big of a factor."
Patience was another buzzword among the players.
"It was very long, very tough," Steve Lowery said. "The holes are playing so tough, you just try to be patient and do the best you can."
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