Masters survey: Should Augusta National move the 13th tee back?

Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 green jacket winners and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on Augusta National.

Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.

The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.

Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.

Should the tee at the 13th hole be moved back?

“No. You could solve the problem, if, instead, the golf ball is brought back. If you keep taking the 13th tee back, half the field won’t be able to get to the green in two. Even with the current golf ball, you can get yourself in trouble. But if you take the tee back farther, anybody who can’t get it around the corner is just going to hit it out to the right and make it a three-shot hole, and the hole loses all its character.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus

“Definitely not. Augusta National members, I could have saved you $25 million, or whatever the land cost. Here’s all you do. You plant a tree 20 yards off the tee on the left toward the corner. Now guys can’t go left. They have to go around the corner. I’ll buy them the tree.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson

Adam Scott on the 13th hole during the 2013 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

“Can they move it left a little bit? That would make it more challenging.” – 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott

“Yes. Because the second shot, the risk-reward shot, there is too little risk when you’re hitting an 8- or 9-iron in.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson

“I don’t care.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson

“I think so. Now, there are a few guys where it’s become almost like a driving range shot, a short par-4 hole. Distance is an advantage but I think the fairways should be the same width everywhere, and if you move it back, it’s still an advantage to move it back further because you’d hit iron vs. hybrid. You’d still have to hit the drive straight. Right now, the long hitters don’t have to.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth

“If they move it back 10 yards, maybe just five yards even, and just put a slightly different angle it would be very hard for anyone to fly it over the trees. For me, I don’t want it to go back. But I can see why they should do it, because the bombers fly it over the trees and have an 8-iron in and that’s not right.” – Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer

Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot on the 13th hole the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)

“No. The tee could be lowered by a few feet and then people couldn’t take it over the trees. I’ve always said you should be able to hit driver on a par-5, but I don’t see them needing to go back. It’s a great risk-reward hole. I get seeing them wanting guys to hit longer clubs into the green, but if they lowered the tee box by 5 feet, then people couldn’t go over the trees.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy

“No. It would take away the 3 and the 7 and bring in a lot more 4s, 5s and 6s.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose

“Yeah, probably. More and more guys are cutting the corner. It’s not easy to do, but still. It pays to be long there.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day

“I think you can lengthen it 15, 20 yards, and shift it 5 yards to the left. That would take the chance of the really longer hitters taking it over the trees and having wedge in their hand. If you move it too far back, then you take out the chance of getting home in two because no one’s going for that green in two with a 3-wood.” – 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed

“No. Because then I don’t know if I could get home in two.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson

“No, because it’s a fun risk-reward hole. You still have to hit a very good tee shot around the corner to get home in two. Yes, I know what Bubba did that one time, but 99% of the guys still have to make the ball turn and take on that corner to have a mid-iron into that green.” – Luke Donald

“I could go either way. But if they put a tree to the left just off the tee box, that’s all they have to do to make it harder to cut the corner.” – Rickie Fowler

“Yeah. So many players are making that hole look silly. It used to be only Bubba could do it, hitting it over the trees. Now there are at least 10 guys who can blow it over the trees on the left.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell

“No. Because it has so much turn to it now that the new golf balls make it very difficult to make it turn that much, so it requires a perfect golf shot.” – Kevin Kisner

Retief Goosen watches a shot on the 13th hole during the 2007 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Harry How/Getty Images)

“The thing about 13 is it favors left-handers. For the right-handers you have to hook it and that’s not an easy shot. But it would be quite nice to see them push it back a little and have the guys go into the green with long irons and even woods.” – Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen

“No. When you look back at it from history’s standpoint, you don’t mess with that. You leave it as is. And trees are growing, so it’s going to get tougher. Let us create more history.”  Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson

“I do not make any recommendations at that place.” – Matt Kuchar

“No. It’s a great risk-reward hole at the distance it is right now.” – Tony Finau

“No. That risk-reward makes that hole great.” – Patton Kizzire

“It doesn’t need to go back. For me, in my 60s, if I hit a really good drive, I could have a 5-iron into the green. But it’s not an easy shot because of all the slope.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle

“I don’t think so. It’s one of the best par-5s in golf. I get what they want, but they can just move that tee box a little to the left.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland

“It shouldn’t be moved back, it should be moved left. Five or 10 yards. That would make all the difference. It would make the guys have to curve the ball more to get around the corner and you couldn’t go over the trees. Without making it longer, you’re still making it more difficult.” – Brandt Snedeker

“Last year it felt OK to me, but obviously, we’re getting into an era in the modern game where these guys are hitting the ball so far, with such great accuracy, that there may be a time when moving the tee back needs to be done. But we haven’t gotten to that point yet.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman

“No. It’s my favorite par-5 in all of golf. I love that hole. Yes, as we’ve seen over the years some guys hit unbelievable drives and have wedges into the green, but it’s just a few guys and they have to hit it perfect on a perfect line. It will be a sad time if they move that tee back.” – Billy Horschel 

“No. It’s such an iconic hole, so if you can swing it around that corner, you deserve to have a shorter club into the green. That hole is too exciting to change anything.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley

“I think it could be moved back a little and moved to the left a little, just to make it a little more challenging. They’re so powerful now. Maybe move it back 10 or 15 yards and a little to the left.” – 1998 Masters champion Mark O’Meara

“No. In a perfect world, the bombers of the bombers would have to clear some taller trees, but the dogleg is in a pretty cool spot. But I’ll say this – those guys who do hit it over the trees, they’ve hit an unbelievable shot. Not just because they’re long, it’s not an easy shot. You go left there you’re dead. I think it’s a great reward for them because they’ve earned the right to be rewarded for their bombs.” – Bill Haas

Justin Rose and Charles Howell III walk to the 13th green during the 2007 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“No. It’s not like that fairway is wide open and you can blast away. You still have to curve it and you know if you mis-hit it Rae’s Creek is there to make you pay. It’s not as easy to get it around the corner as some think it is.” – Charles Howell III

“No more than 20 yards. But I’d say no, because you have to think on that tee shot. I think 20 yards would be fair, but as long as they make it where you can still take on the corner, which isn’t easy, then OK. But if they take that out of the equation, no way. You need risk-reward there.” – Keith Mitchell

“No. The charm of 13 is you came make 3 and 7 just like that. If you move it back, it will take more 3s and 7s out of play.” – 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk

“No, it’s a great hole the way it is.” – Nick Watney

Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.

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Some Augusta hotels once $49 now running $1,000 for November Masters week

If you thought you could score cheap lodging for a Masters rescheduled to November, think again. It’s a big week for the local economy.

Think you might be able to score some cheap lodging since the Masters has seen a last-second shift from its typical April slot into the cool climes of November?

Think again.

The metro Augusta region had been holding its breath since Augusta National Golf Club postponed the Masters Tournament in March. Now it can finally exhale.

The club on Monday officially announced potential dates for the tournament – Nov. 9-15 – giving an uncertain community an actual target date for the region’s biggest event of the year.

Augusta-area hotels, which are booked solidly during the tournament week and implement special-event pricing, implemented higher rates in October, according to a review of online booking services. Those higher rates have now been applied to the targeted week in November.

“Certainly, it’s really, really good news,” said Sue Parr, president of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, which coordinates the local leg of the state’s Red Carpet Tour economic development event as well as the Masters Housing Bureau, a home-rental service on which many golf patrons rely for lodging.

“It will be a tremendous economic boon for this community and we’ll be able to do what we’ve always done,” she said.

For example, the Ecco Suites on Claussen Road, normally priced at $89 a night, was listing rooms for $793 per night during the new tournament dates.

The Rodeway Inn on Jimmie Dyess Parkway, normally $49 a night, listed rooms at $1,000; and the Residence Inn by Marriott on Marks Church Road, normally $219 a night, was posting rooms for $1,499 during tournament days on Monday.

A limited-service hotel manager, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said he has had to cancel reservations that had been made before rates were adjusted. He said he believed many who made the initial reservations were “rate squatters” and resellers acting on reports made last week by national golf magazines, based on speculative media reports published after the club’s initial announcement.

A sign in front of TBonz Augusta, a restaurant that is temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Bennish Brown, president of the Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Monday’s official announcement was a bright spot for the hard-hit hotel and restaurant industry, which earns a large percentage of its annual income during tournament week.

“I am just happy and pleased for this community overall,” he said. “I think the community is just finally glad to hear an announcement. Nothing is final and nothing has traction unless it is announced directly by the Augusta National.”

Cal Wray, president of the Augusta Economic Development Authority, which hosts prospective industry leaders and site-selection consultants during the tournament through the state’s Red Carpet Tour, said a November tournament is better from an economic development standpoint.

October, he said, is generally a busy month in the economic development community because of trade shows and other meetings. Wray said the authority’s plans for the week could easily be shifted if the pandemic continues and causes another postponement.

“We’re going to be cautiously optimistic,” he said. “We’re going to plan as if it’s going to happen.”

Jane Fuhrmann, the owner of Tournament Housing & Events, one of several area companies that book home rentals for visiting Masters patrons, said she was “thrilled” to hear official dates were announced. She said she believes most of the 2,000 homeowners she works with will roll their April contracts over to November rather than issue refunds.

The determining factor will be whether area schools adjust their calendars.

“Otherwise, it wouldn’t work for the house rentals,” Fuhrmann said. “It takes a village, the village of Augusta, to make this tournament work at the level it works.”

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Speculation over a new tournament date has swirled since the club made its March 13 announcement amid the growing coronavirus pandemic. Many speculated on a tournament date in October that would coincide with local schools’ fall breaks, as a large number of the tournament’s temporary workforce – more than 6,000 people – are area high school students doing everything from picking up trash to working registers at gift shops.

Area schools also annually plan their spring breaks to coincide with the tournament so families can take vacations and rent their homes to golf fans and tournament-support staff.

The 2020-2021 school calendars for Richmond, Columbia and Aiken counties have already been set, and none have built-in November vacation time outside the Thanksgiving holiday. Those calendars are likely to change based on Monday’s announcement.

Abbigail Remkus, director of communications for the Columbia County School District, said the school system “will be reviewing our school calendar and talking with our stakeholders to determine what the best approach will be.”

“We recognize the need to adjust our calendar and we will,” she said. “We will be sure to announce changes once a decision has been reached.”

A message left with the Richmond County School System, the metro area’s largest, was not immediately returned Monday.

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Tiger Woods at the Masters (2011): Augusta National’s zaniest back nine ever

Eight players had at least a share of the lead on the final nine holes, with a five-way tie at the top at one point, at the 2011 Masters.

Tiger Woods was working on a new swing going into the 2011 Masters.

He hadn’t won a PGA Tour title since the fall of 2009, a major since the summer of 2008, a Masters since the spring of 2005. His best finish in five starts before the Masters was a tie for 10th.

And he was still climbing out of the abyss that included public scandal, a divorce, and a shattered reputation that took root the night of Thanksgiving 2009 when he drove his car into a fire hydrant.

Not exactly a perfect prep en route to a fifth green jacket.

Still, Woods felt ready.

“Mm-hmm,” was his answer as he nodded his head in the affirmative when asked if he could win. “I’ve prepared all year to peak four times a year and that has not change, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

2011 Masters: Final leaderboard

After rounds of 71-66, Woods was three back. A Saturday 74, however, dropped him seven shots behind Rory McIlroy, the former Boy Wonder who seized command from the get-go with a 65 on Thursday. Rounds of 69-70 had him four clear of the field heading into the final round.

Then all sorts of crazy had a Sunday tee time.

Woods began an avalanche of roars and red numbers with birdies on four of his first seven holes. When his eagle putt dropped on the eighth, the earth shook and he was one back. When he made the turn, he had a share of the lead. Nine holes in, seven-shot deficit gone, vintage Woods was back.

But more than the red shirt was rumbling. Charl Schwartzel knocked in a 100-foot chip on the first for birdie and holed out from 108 yards for eagle on the fourth. Angel Cabrera made three birdies on his first eight holes. Jason Day, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy, all trying to become the first Aussie to win the Masters, stayed within touch of the leaders. Luke Donald was right there. McIlroy turned in 1-over 37 but still held a share of the lead.

And then came the zaniest back nine you’ve ever seen among the Georgia pines. Eight players had at least a share of the lead on the final nine holes, with a five-way tie at the top at one point.

Ogilvy made five consecutive birdies to grab a share. Donald birdied four of his last six after dumping a ball into Rae’s Creek on the 12th. Scott took the lead with a birdie from two feet on the 16th and held it with a par from 17 feet on the 17th. Day birdied the last two to get into the clubhouse with a share of the lead with Scott.

Rory McIlroy plays a shot back to the fairway on the tenth hole after an errant tee shot during the final round of the 2011 Masters. Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

McIlroy, on the other hand, tripled-bogeyed the 10th when his drive ended up between two white cabins 50 yards left of the fairway, bogeyed the 11th and four-putted the 12th for double and was done.

“I hung in pretty well on the front nine, then hit the tee shot on the 10th and I became unraveled,” said McIlroy, who shot 80. “And I just couldn’t get it back. I’ll have more chances. Hopefully this will build some character.”

It did – he won the U.S. Open two months later.

While McIlroy couldn’t get it back, Woods couldn’t keep it going. After a 5-under 31, he stalled. He missed two putts inside four feet – on the 12th for par and on the 15th for eagle – and he could only match par on the final nine and signed for a 67 to finish in a tie for fourth.

“I should have shot an easy 3 or 4 under on the back nine and I only posted even,” said Woods, who was winless in 21 tournaments over 17 months. “I hit it good all day. This entire weekend I hit it good. So that was a nice feeling. I just had a tough time on the greens.”

Schwartzel didn’t have any difficulties on the greens as he made Masters history. He became the first Masters champion to finish with birdies on the final four holes – from 10, 15, 12 and 18 feet – a 4-2-3-3 finish on the scorecard that showed a 66, the best final round by a winner in 22 years. His 14-under 274 total was two clear of Day and Scott.

“The birdie on 15 was big. That got me going,” he said. “And this game’s a funny game. Things just happen. Sometimes it sort of just snowballs.

“There are so many roars that go on around Augusta. Especially the back nine. It echoes through those trees. Every single hole you walk down, someone has done something, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking at the leaderboard. But sometimes I would look at it and not register what I was looking at, and I think that sort of helped.

“So this is a dream come true. It was quite crazy out there, quite loud, but it feels so good to be wearing this jacket.”

This is the 17th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Masters survey: What’s the scariest uphill putt at Augusta National?

During the Masters, Augusta National has several uphill putts that stump the pros. Steve DiMeglio asks players what they are.

Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.

The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.

Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.

What is the scariest uphill putt during the Masters?

Jack Nicklaus’ remarkable victory at the 1986 Masters made him the oldest man to ever win the Masters at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days old. (Augusta National/Getty Images)

“I didn’t know there was such a thing.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus

“At No. 5, to the front-middle pin. You have to hit a putt up the knob and then it starts going downhill, that’s scary. So you go up and then down and you have to be so, so careful.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson

“If you had to two-putt to win.” – Kevin Na

Phil Mickelson reacts to a missed par putt on the sixth green during the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“From the bottom left to the top right on 6. The tier at the very top steepens and most people leave that first putt six to eight feet short. It’s scary because you have to give it so much more and think you have to race it by the hole to get it there.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson

“It’s at No. 10, because it’s actually quicker than it looks towards Rae’s Creek, so you see so many players go long on uphill putts on 10.” – Luke Donald

“No. 5, if you’re going up that crest in the front and the pin is up top, so you have to go up and over and then it’s downhill, so it’s scary going uphill and then you have to watch out for it going downhill.” – Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer

“From pin-high to the right of the front-left pin on No. 1. You have to go over a hump and then it’s downhill. You can say bye-bye to your ball in a hurry.” – Matt Kuchar

“The one to win.” – Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy

Jason Day hits out of a bunker on the seventh hole the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National GC. (Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

“No. 7 is pretty decently difficult. When you have to putt to the front middle pin and you have to putt up and over a ridge and then it can get by the hole and go off the green.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day

“Up to the top-right on six has to be the scariest, because if you don’t hit it hard enough, you get to try it again.” – Kevin Kisner

“I’d say the back-left pins on No. 1. I always have problem with those putts. I don’t think they are the much uphill but I always run it by four or five feet and then I have a downhill breaking putt, which isn’t fun.” – Billy Horschel

“Most uphill putts at Augusta are a good thing, but to the top-right pin on No. 6, if you’re short, man, that’s a tough one.” – Bill Haas

“Gosh, at No. 10. You know the putt is uphill but it’s going toward Rae’s Creek. It goes a lot faster than you believe, because everything is sloping back toward you but you know it’s heading towards Rae’s Creek, so it throws you a bit.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson

“At No. 1, if you are on the front of the green and the pin is back right or back left because it’s just so hard to get the distance and the borrow right. That’s about as tough as it gets.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle

“Some of those putts on 9, 18 and on 8, you have to hit them so hard they can get away from you and then you have a downhill slider that you don’t want. Those stick out. You have to hammer some of those putts.” – 2019 U.S. Open Gary Woodland

Dustin Johnson lines up a putt on the second green during the final round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Dustin Johnson lines up a putt on the second green during the final round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (File)

“Probably to win the Masters.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson

“If you’re front-right on 5 and the flag is on the back, you could just putt it off the green.” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel

“The first hole can be scary. Sometimes you’re nervous, you’re right out of the box and that first putt, when the pin is top-left, can be scary. So hard to get your speed right.” – 1998 Masters champion Mark O’Meara

“One that has always been tricky for me is the one at No. 5 if you miss it to the right and you have to come over that big swale” – Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen

“There aren’t any really scary uphill putts at Augusta. But I guess if you’re below the hole on the first hole and you’re putting to the back-left hole location, you know if you get it four or five feet past the hole it could roll off the green.” – Patrick Cantlay

“The back-right pin on 5. Putting to that back pin, it’s like an infinity putt. Gets your attention.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell

Tony Finau putts on the 17th green during the 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports)

“Thirteen, from the bottom to the back-right pin. It’s the slowest putt there but you can’t hit that past because you could go off the green into a swale or be above the hole and that’s one of the fastest putts there is.” – Tony Finau

“No. 6, with a back-right pin if you’re at the bottom of the green. You can race it by the hole off the green and you can leave it short and watch it come back to your feet and then pass you and go off the green.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson

No. 16, back-right on the green. I think everybody has hit that putt and it’s come back to their feet, or you go way by and end up on the fringe and then you have a downhill putt that’s scary.” – Nick Watney

“When the pin is back-right on No. 6. You’re going straight up the hill so you have to hit it so hard to get to that top-flat plateau but you can’t race it by the hole. That one is pretty hair-raising.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman

“Short of the pin on 6 because if you’re short it comes back to your feet.” – Keith Mitchell

“Back-left pin on No. 6. You never get it back there so you always have 45 feet, and you know it’s so slow. But if you hit it too hard then it goes by the hole and could go off the green.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose

Jim Furyk putts on the 16th green during the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Harry How/Getty Images)

“At No. 16, front-right pin. When you’re on the other tier, either pine-high or a little on got if, yeah, that’s a tough one.” – 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk

“No. 17, right flag, when your ball is left because it’s uphill for the majority of the putt and then it can get away from you right at the end. It’s just brutal.” – Charles Howell III

Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Tiger Woods at the Masters (2010): Five months after infamous car accident

This was a Masters unlike any other for Tiger Woods. Five months after driving into a fire hydrant Thanksgiving night of 2009, a single-car crash that led to a torrent of revelations of a sordid private life full of extramarital affairs that …

This was a Masters unlike any other for Tiger Woods.

Five months after driving into a fire hydrant Thanksgiving night of 2009, a single-car crash that led to a torrent of revelations of a sordid private life full of extramarital affairs that shattered his once-pristine image, damaged his Madison Avenue charm and ultimately cost him his marriage, Woods returned to the game at the 2010 Masters.

The four-time winner of the green jacket was warmly embraced by the patrons throughout an 18-hole practice round Monday with Fred Couples.

Later in the day, he looked far more comfortable and at ease in a 35-minute meeting with the media in a packed press conference room than he did Feb. 19 when he appeared in public for the first time since the accident and read a 13-minute prepared statement in a televised address near PGA Tour headquarters.

“What I’ve done over the past years has been just terrible to my family,” Woods said at Augusta National. “And the fact I won golf tournaments I think is irrelevant. It’s the pain and the damage that I’ve caused my wife, my mom, my wife’s family and my kids. Going forward, I am going to have to explain all this to them. That’s my responsibility. I did it. And I take full responsibility for it.”

2010 Masters: Final leaderboard

While he spoke on a variety of subjects, he provided scant details of the car accident. And he emphasized he was ready to win a fifth green jacket.

Despite not having played since winning the Australian Masters the previous November, Woods quickly got in the mix to do just that with a 68, marking the only time he’s ever broken 70 in the first round in the Masters.

“It felt really good just to get out there and get into the rhythm of the round, and just kind of go about my business,” Woods said.

Woods stayed on the first page of the leaderboard with consecutive rounds of 70 and stood four shots out of the lead set by Lee Westwood with 18 holes to play. One shot behind Westwood was Phil Mickelson, who nearly made three consecutive eagles on the back nine but settled for an eagle-3 at 13, an eagle-2 on 14 and a tap-in birdie-4 on the 15th.

On Sunday, Woods, playing with K.J. Choi for the fourth consecutive day, bogeyed three of his first five holes and despite eagles on seven and 15 and four birdies in his last 11 holes, he never seriously threatened on the back nine. A 69 left him at 11-under 277 and five shots behind Mickelson, who closed with a 67 to win his third Masters. Mickelson finished three clear of runner-up Westwood.

“I finished fourth,” Woods said. “Not what I wanted. I wanted to win this tournament. As the week wore on I kept hitting the ball worse. I hit it better on Friday, but after that it was not very good.

“I entered this event and I only enter events to win and I didn’t get it done. I didn’t hit the ball good enough and I made too many mistakes around the greens.”

Mickelson, who delivered one of the game’s most memorable shots when he hit a 6-iron off pine straw from 205 yards to four feet on the 13th hole in the final round, had not won heading to Augusta, Georgia. But he ended this Masters in a tearful embrace with his wife, Amy, who was battling breast cancer. His mother, Mary, also was battling breast. At a special place, he provided a special victory.

“I’m in love with this place,” Mickelson said. “It just brings out the best in me. I love Sunday at Augusta. Back in the ’90s, it was the most nerve-racking day. Still is, but I’ve just come to love and cherish it, and to play some of my best golf this week as well as today just feels incredible.”

This is the 16th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Masters survey: What’s the scariest downhill putt at Augusta National?

During the Masters, Augusta National has several downhill putts that stump the pros. Steve DiMeglio asks players what they are.

Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.

The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.

Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.

What is the scariest downhill putt during the Masters?

“Oddly enough, I’ve always thought, although it’s not one of the fastest greens, but it was so difficult to make a putt on 10 going downhill because there was so much break in them.” Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus

“On No. 1, the front-left pin. It’s brutal. Even if you’re pin-high right, it’s downhill, down-grain, and it’s just a pin that gets the heart pumping.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson

“Fifteen above the hole gets about as wicked as any putt can be. And you get on the wrong side of the hole on one, to those left pins, right out of the gate, and you’re just, ‘Oh, boy, here we go.’ And they’re normally for par, too.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth

“Quite a few of them. But I would say on the sixth hole when the pin is back left and you push in onto the top-right tier, because there’s a chance you’re putting it down to the front part of the green.” – Luke Donald

“The ones on nine and 15, when you’re above the hole, are so scary. They are almost impossible to stop.” – Brandt Snedeker

“On a makeable, 10-, 15-foot putt, I would say at No. 10, it gets quite scary down there. To a lot of locations on that hole.” – 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia

“Honestly, the putt to the front-left pin on the first hole. Your nerves are jangling out of the gates, and that front-left pin is nothing but all kinds of difficult to deal with. The first green is one of the hardest on the golf course and it’s difficult to deal with because you’ve got the nerves and the adrenaline to deal with and you haven’t calmed down yet.” – 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott

“All of them.” – 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk

Jim Furyk putts on the 16th green during the second round of the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

“I’d say all of them.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson

“I’d say No. 9, from the back of the green to the front of the green. Really tough, really scary.” – Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer

“No. 16, above the hole to any of the bottom pins, is the fastest putt on the course.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson 

“I would say No. 15, if you are on the right side of the green with the pin up front on the left. It’s like a 5-inch backswing for a 30-yard putt.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle

“Literally, any of them. All the ones where you have to play outside the hole and you have to trust that it’s going to move. Especially the ones from 4-, 5-, 6-feet where you have to play a cup or more outside the hole. And you’re always thinking about where the ball could go. Sometimes you just can’t stop it until it’s four or five feet past the hole.” – Rickie Fowler

“There all pretty scary. But I’ll go with the front-left pin on 13 when you’re above the whole. Remember when Tiger Woods putted it into the water. That can be a glassy, scary one.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell

“Ooh. If you are right of the pin on 16, on the top tier, and the pin is on the bottom tier, like I did on Sunday last year, I don’t know how you can hit it soft enough and get the break correct. It almost looks impossible to me.” – Kevin Kisner

Rory McIlroy walks off the 13th green during a practice round for the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Pjhoto by Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports

“Oh, geez. So many. But probably pin-high on 13 when the pin is on the bottom shelf, because you can literally putt it into Rae’s Creek.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy

“Long left to a front-right or front-left pin on one is really, really fast.” – Bill Haas

“Let me run through the holes. Probably 15. If you’re anywhere at the top of the green and you have to putt down to the front-left pin, that is scary. It can go into the water.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day

“Front left pin on the first. You get anywhere above it, that’s the scariest putt on the golf course. It’s the first hole of the day and you don’t know how fast the greens are.” – Paul Casey

“Well, all of them. But at one, if you get above the hole, you’re worrying about putting it off the green. And you’re just trying to get off to a good start and get comfortable on those greens. So if you get above the hole on one, that’s not how you want to start the day.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland

“I would say on hole No. 6 when the pin is top-right and you’re above the hole. You can literally putt the ball off the green in a heartbeat.” – 1998 Masters champion Mark O’Meara

“The first hole to the front-left pin. Anything from the middle to the back of the green really scares me. It could go off to the right, off to the left. That’s an under-the-radar one where the putt can so easily get away from you.” – Matt Kuchar

“Above the hole on No. 6 when the pin is top-right. If you hit it two feet too far, you’re 30 yards off the front of the green.” – Keith Mitchell

“No. 3, the Sunday pin on the left. In the back of your head you’re thinking you can so easily putt the ball off the green.” Nick Watney

“Ninth hole. That front flag. In a second you can knock it off the green and it will go 40, 50 yards.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley

“If you get above the hole on the first hole, that’s sneaky quick. Some of the other ones, like going to the front-right on 14, you know that one’s really quick so you inherently just get it started. But on the first hole, it’s the scariest one because there’s way more pitch than you think and you’re just starting your round.” – Patrick Cantlay 

“There’s lots of them.” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel

“That’s a great question. I’d go No. 9, pin up front-left. When you have that putt from six feet, it’s scary as heck. And when you have to putt from 40, 50 feet, down the tiers, that’s when you really get nervous, because you know you can easily go off the green.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson

“There’s one just about every hole. I have to think about that one. I’d have to go with No. 9 when you’re above the hole. You can putt it off the green just like that.” – Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen

“Let me think about that. Ooh, I got one. On 16, if you’re on the top shelf and the pin is on the other tier. The chances of an amateur getting a two-putt is 3 percent. For a Tour pro, you’re going to have a 7-, 8-footer coming back.” – Kevin Na

“There are so many. I would say some of the scariest putts are at nine and 10 when you get above the hole. On 10, you can have 25 feet from the middle of the green to the front-right pin and it has 10 or 12 feet of break in it. It’s lightning quick.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman

“No. 15, front-right pin, when the wind is blowing back up the fairway. If you hit it a touch too hard, and it goes three feet by and the wind is blowing, you start praying it doesn’t go into the water.” – Billy Horschel

“Hmm. That’s a good one. Above the hole on 2 to the left pin. If you have a four-footer there and you don’t hit it into the hole, you have at least double that coming back.” – Tony Finau

“Ooh. That’s a good one. You can find one on every hole. Well, I’d have to say if you ended up on the top of No. 6 and the pin was in the front. But I mean, they are all scary. The one on No. 9, when you’re above the hole and you have to putt the ball into the fringe. So, so, so many scary ones there.” – Patton Kizzire

Justin Rose lines up a putt on the ninth green during the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

“Mine definitely was in 2003. I was on the wrong tier to the front-right pin on No. 9 and I had to two-putt to make the cut. I was sweating. I rolled it down there with one of the best lag putts I’ve ever hit and it still went four feet by. But I wiggled it in and made the cut.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose

“No. 9 from the top shelf when the pin is on the bottom shelf. It has your full attention, I promise. You try so hard not to think of what could go wrong, but you can’t get that out of your mind.” – Charles Howell III

Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Tiger Woods at the Masters (2009): Tiger, Phil and a Sunday Masters to remember

Tiger Woods was paired with Phil Mickelson and the two lit up Augusta National’s hallowed pastures on a Sunday Masters to remember.

After reconstructive surgery repaired his left knee following his one-legged victory in the 2008 U.S. Open, where he won with torn ligaments in said knee and two fractures in the same leg, Tiger Woods spent the next seven weeks on the mend.

Following what he called “months upon months” of rehab, Woods returned to the PGA Tour at the 2009 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play and tied for 17th. He tied for ninth in his next start at the WGC-CA Championship.

Then he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a 72nd-hole birdie from 15 feet.

The golf world was whole again.

But could Woods really win the Masters after just three starts in nine months? On an Augusta National golf course that now was 7,435 exacting yards long?

“Always,” Woods said two days before the Masters when asked if he expected to win despite his few reps.

2009 Masters: Final leaderboard

His win at Arnie’s place, however, solidified his way of thinking and altered the thought of his colleagues.

“I really wanted to get into contention and feel the rush again on the back nine,” he said of his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I was not in it at Doral (CA Championship); I was on the periphery. I played my way into a backdoor top-10, so I was not really in it. This past week at Bay Hill was great, to feel that, and just to see how my body would react again.

“It’s been a while, and a lot of uncertainty over the months upon months of rehab, and it felt great to hit shots. Like the shot I hit on 18, that felt great, to be able to take something off that little 7-iron and be able to control the flight like that.

“That’s something that I’ve been missing.”

What was missing for Woods when the Masters teed off was a good start. Yes, he shot 70 in the first round but stood five back, then shot 72 and was seven back after 36. Another 70 in Saturday’s third round left him seven shots out of the lead.

Tiger Woods, caddie Steve Williams, Phil Mickelson and caddie Jim “Bones” MacKay during the final round of the 2009 Masters. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

And then, Secretariat and Man o’ War showed up for Sunday’s final round. Woods was paired with Phil Mickelson – you decide who was Secretariat and who was Man o’ War – and the two lit up Augusta National’s hallowed pastures on a Sunday Masters to remember.

First it was Mickelson who ignited roars with birdies on 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 to get in the mix. Then Woods came firing down the lane with an eagle at 8 and then birdies at 13, 15 and 16.

But funny things happen on the back nine on a Sunday at the Masters. Mickelson was one shot out of the lead on the 12th tee before he rinsed his tee shot in Rae’s Creek. Woods was within two on the 17th tee but went bogey-bogey.

Mickelson finished fifth and Woods tied for sixth. In hindsight, Woods needs more reps.

Kenny Perry needed two pars. Perry, who shared the lead after 54 holes with Angel Cabrera, was two shots clear with two holes to play but, like Woods, went bogey-bogey. Perry was joined by Cabrera and Chad Campbell in a playoff that Cabrera won with a par on the second extra hole. It was Cabrera’s second major title, coming two years after he held off Woods and Jim Furyk by one shot in the U.S. Open at Oakmont.

This is the 15th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Masters survey: How difficult is it to handle ticket requests?

Masters tickets are coveted items and the pros know how difficult it is to gain access to Augusta National in April.

Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.

The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.

Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.

How many ticket requests do you receive and how difficult is it to handle the allotment?

“I use this analogy a lot. My dad was an attorney so I asked him if he had a really big case and spent a lot of hours in the office, did you ever take me to the office? No, that’s a terrible idea, he said. Well, I told him the Masters is my really big case for me. It can be distracting with so many people there. I have no problem with people coming but don’t expect me to hang out. Dealing with all the people you would love to bring was so hard those first two years. It’s a stressful week. I’ll give out the tickets, but they know I get in my own world there.” – Brandt Snedeker

“Too many.” – Patton Kizzire

“You get eight and you can buy four more. People do know it’s the hardest ticket to get, so immediate family is a given. And then close friends know they can’t go every year, so you work out a little bit of a rotation. They know we have a limited amount. Still tough.” – Rickie Fowler

“More than I can count and more than I can get.” – Charles Howell III

“It could not have been any easier, because we just say no.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson

Don Taylor, of Atlanta, wears a ticket from the first Masters he attended in 1951 during the 2012 Masters Tournament. Photo by Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

“Ask Sean (O’Flaherty, his agent). I separate myself from it.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy

“It’s always difficult, no matter what. At the same time, that’s what makes it so special. You can’t give away as many as you want. And you know how special a ticket to the Masters is, and you know the people that get them appreciate them so much.” – 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed

“I have a decent group of people around me that don’t bombard me.” – Billy Horschel

“It’s not difficult. They only give you a certain amount and that’s it. I use them for family and that’s it.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson

“A lot. It’s hard to handle. I try to get it done well ahead of time. We just can’t get a lot of them. Family gets first priority and then I let everyone else hash it out.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland

“I’ve said no to people for so long now that I get less requests. Still, it’s not easy to deal with.” – 2103 Masters champion Adam Scott

“It hasn’t been difficult because you have a hard stop. You can’t go and get anymore.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth

Patrons rush to get positions as the gates open for the final round of the 2007 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by USA TODAY Sports

“It’s tough to give them out. But your friends know we have a limited amount, but it’s still so tough.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley

“That’s a tough one. I don’t make any commitments until it’s closer to the tournament because people ask me a year ahead of time and I forget. But it’s tough to deal with.” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel

“Now that I’m in 12, 13 years of playing there, it’s less difficult. But those first few years your friends came out of the woodwork.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose

“More than I get. It’s pretty tough giving out the tickets. Especially my first year, because there are so many people who were along for the ride as far as supporting you. You want to take everybody with you. It’s extremely hard to take care of. I have sort of a waiting list going.” – Tony Finau

“Oh, man. It’s hard. You get a certain amount of tickets. I delegate the whole thing to my wife, so I don’t have to get involved. She does the hard work. Right around the time the new year comes the requests start to ramp up.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman

“My wife does it. You get what you get, so it’s not easy.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day

“Now that it’s been about five Masters in a row, it’s become a little less distracting. The first year I had a lot of requests but now everybody knows who’s getting tickets and that’s about it.” – Kevin Kisner

“Less than I used to. I’ve said no enough that people realize I can’t get them a ticket.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson

A patron displays a collection of entry tickets for the Masters on his hate during the 1999 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by USA TODAY Sports

“It varies. The last year was probably the most difficult as far as the most requests. But you get a limited number and that’s what you get and I think that’s great. Otherwise it would be really difficult.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson

“You get quite a few. I have a list of who gets what and there isn’t enough paper for a list that long. I try to get my wife to take care of it or someone. It’s not easy.” – Luke Donald

“Used to be more. It just got to the point where I had to tell so many people I just couldn’t help them.” – Matt Kuchar

“I think my family and friends were very respectful my first year and that was it. I’ve heard stories, but it wasn’t bad for me.” – Keith Mitchell

Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Tiger Woods at the Masters (2008): Arrives at Augusta on another heater

Tiger Woods was even-money to win the 2008 Masters, his confidence at such a peak he talked boldly of winning the calendar Grand Slam.

Tiger Woods was on another heater heading into the 2008 Masters.

A white-hot heater, if you will, a scorched-golf-earth flame that began in 2007 and was burning oh-so bright en route to Augusta National. Woods won four of his last five events in 2007 and four of his first five in 2008. In the two he didn’t win he finished fifth and in a tie for second.

The blistering streak included six consecutive wins and victories in the 2007 PGA Championship, the 2007 Tour Championship where he won the inaugural FedExCup, and the 2008 World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play.

He was even-money to win the Masters. With his confidence at such a peak he talked boldly ahead of the Masters of winning the calendar Grand Slam. He had the chops to back such talk up – had won 13 majors, had won four consecutive majors for the Tiger Slam, and loved all four venues hosting the majors.

His putter, however, was tone deaf that week. He needed 120 putts to complete four rounds – tied for 29th in the field – and missed far too many putts inside 6 feet to truly put on a good run.

2008 Masters: Final leaderboard

Rounds of 72-71-68 placed his fifth through 54 holes but six shots behind leader Trevor Immelman. While Woods did can a 70-footer for birdie on the 11th in the final round, he missed a four-footer for par on the fourth, a four-footer for birdie on the 13th and another shorty on the 14th where he three-putted for bogey.

“I just didn’t quite have it this week,” Woods said. “I didn’t make the putts I needed to make this entire week. I had the speed, just didn’t get the line right. You have good weeks and have bad weeks. Certainly, this was not one of my best.”

As for his pre-tournament Grand Slam proclamation, he said, “I learned my lesson there with the press. I’m not going to say anything (in the future).”

As for his immediate future, two days after the Master he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage. Throughout the 2008 Masters, Woods didn’t let on that his knee was a hinderance. Only later did we find out he likely was playing with torn ligaments.

A month after the Masters, doctors advised him to skip the U.S. Open. Woods didn’t listen and won the U.S. Open with torn ligaments and two stress fractures in his left tibia. Eight days after winning the national championship, he had reconstructive surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee and he missed the rest of the season.

Trevor Immelman is congratulated by Brandt Snedeker as they make their way to the 18th green at the 2008 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

The Masters champion that year also dealt with surgery. Immelman, who went wire-to-wire to win his green jacket, had surgery in December 2007 to remove what turned out to be a noncancerous tumor on his diaphragm. He missed the cut in four of his first eight starts in 2008, with a best finish being a tie for 40th.

But rounds of 68-68-69 gave him a two-shot lead heading into the final round.

Winds gusts reaching 30 mph greeted golfers on Sunday and the average score was 74.67. Only four players broke par. After Brandt Snedeker eagled the second to grab a share of the lead, Immelman took command once again around the turn and despite a double-bogey on the 16th, he cruised to a three-shot win.

Not that he cared, but Immelman’s 75 in the final round tied the record for the highest final-round score by a winner.

“This has probably been the ultimate roller coaster ride, and I hate roller coasters,” Immelman said. “And here I am, after missing the cut last week (in the Houston Open), the Masters champion. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of.”

Made extra special because the toppled Woods.

“I don’t think it is ever easy to win a major in any era. But you know, I’m playing in the Tiger Woods era,” he said. “The guy boggles my mind. I’m an avid sports watcher, and I study top sportsmen. This guy is frightening in what he gets done and how he gets it done and the ease with which he gets it done.”

This is the 14th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.

WATCH EVERY MASTERS TOURNAMENT – SUBSCRIBE TO ESPN+

Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

Masters survey: Have you ever had your phone on the course?

Cell phones are supposed to be banned at Augusta National for everyone, but some pros spill the beans of whether they’ve ever broken the rule.

Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.

The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.

Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.

Have you ever taken your phone onto the golf course?

“Yes. I used it on purpose on the 14th hole because I thought I broke my 9-iron on Wednesday underneath the grip. So I called the reps. One of the green jackets came up to me and said, ‘Hey, best not use your cell phone anymore.’ I knew the rule but the manufacturers leave on Wednesday and if I don’t get this done, I’m done. Desperate measures.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson

“Yes, but it’s always on silent. I swear. And if I ever take it out, it’s like taking drugs out of your pocket, or something like that. I’m kidding. I don’t have drugs, but you know what I mean.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy

“Not that often. And it’s never gone off. I remember one of my first Masters I was with Ian Poulter and we were posting a few pictures on Twitter and stuff and someone came out and told us to cease and desist.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell

Brooks Koepka on his phone on the 11th hole during a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club. (Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)

“Yes. It was for Trackman purposes. We always keep it quiet.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson

“Yes, and it’s always on silent.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day

“My phone’s never gone off. And I’ve done some social media posts while I was on the golf course during practice rounds and people from Augusta National came to me and said, ‘Mr. Na, I’m sure your fans loved it, but we would appreciate it if you waited until after the round.’ How in the world did they know I posted photos?” – Kevin Na

“It’s never gone off at Augusta. No way. And it never will.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose

“My phone has always been in my bag on the golf course but it has never, ever been out of my bag on the golf course. I’ve never had an issue there and I plan on keeping it that way.” – Bill Haas

“I take my phone with me everywhere. It always goes off, but I’m not an old person so I never have it on ring. And it has never, ever made a ring sound at Augusta National.” – Kevin Kisner

“My phone goes onto the golf course all the time. It just stays in my golf bag and it’s definitely on silent.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman

Sergio Garcia uses his phone as he walks up the 2nd fairway during a practice round for the 2013 Masters. Photo by Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports

“No comment.” – Patton Kizzire

“It’s never rang.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland

“Players always have their phones with them but it’s always on silent. I don’t ever want to hear my phone go off.” – Rickie Fowler

“It’s always in my bag. But it’s always turned off.” – Billy Horschel

“No. I’ve been so scared walking through the gate I’ve never come close to taking my phone onto the course. And I never, ever, ever will.” – Charles Howell III 

Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.

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