Granted, the change on 18 really doesn't work. I remember Sandy Lyle hitting that great shot out of the bunker, and then holing that slippery down hill put to win.
I love Master's week. Look forward to it every year. And, while the last two years have been anticlimatic, the back nine 'charge' is still possible.
1. Flesh hit it into the water on 12....The 12th hole hasn't been lengthened.
2. Snedecker hit into Ray's creek on the 13th with only 192 to the pin. That green is still reachable in two. Tiger hit his shot through the fairway into the trees and players have been doing that forever. Tiger just didn't turn his drive over, poorly played shot, not due to course changes.
Yes, they have added a bit of length....and added a few trees. But, the fairways are still expansive. The added length does mean these players do have to hit the spots, slopes, and funnels on the greens with an extra club, but these players are considered "Master's", invited to the tournament, hence the name.
The last two years I think are just part to of the cycle. Some world series go down to 7 games, others are 4 game sweeps. Just because, there weren't any back nine roars echoing off the magnolia's and azaleas the past two years, isn't any reason to say the sky is falling. There were plenty of players who could have made a charge. I counted about 5 four foot putts missed, those shots would have made a huge difference. Mentally alone, missing those putts as we all know is demoralizing even in our own weekend play at the Muni's...imagine it at the Masters? Missing those kinds of putts affects your swing and decision making, which is what I think we witnessed.
There were and still are birdies to be had on the back nine...but they do need to bring the bunker back into play on 18, and I am sure we will see something happen there.
And, when it comes down to it. The Master's is a private tournament. They can do whatever they darn well please. They have money and are beholden to no one.
Times change.
