[Masters] "Touring Augusta National"..."Where Is the Best Spot?"

This Year, With Woods Competing, Crowds Gather Daily From Practice Rounds "Viewpoints Are Holes 9, 13, and 16"

The "Masters of Myungin Yeoljeon" has drawn a crowd since the practice rounds this year, as Tiger Woods has declared his participation.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Find the viewpoint."

On the 8th (Korean time), the Masters, which kicked off at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA (par 72, 7,510 yards), draws a crowd of up to 200,000 people daily, including 40,000 Patrons and 150,000 during practice rounds. It is interesting that after two years of no spectators and limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has fully reopened. This year, the atmosphere is even hotter with the appearance of the "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (USA). The prime spots are holes 9, 13, and 16.

Entry starts at 7 a.m. At least 1 hour and 30 minutes before, arrive to secure souvenirs such as hats and badges at the pro shop. They sell out early. Of course, this is only if you have a ticket. Patron tickets were sold out as early as 1972, so you have no choice but to get tickets through online auction sites. On the black market, prices soar up to $10,000 (12 million KRW). Hole 9 appears to the left across the fairway on the right from hole 1. This is the spot where you can see the green of hole 18 at a glance.

The 16th hole at Augusta National, the "Masters battleground," resembles a painting with its lake and bunkers filled with sparkling spruce sand.

The farthest from the entrance but the most dynamic spots are holes 11 to 13, known as the "Amen Corner." Hole 12 (par 3) is said to be "where the spirit of the Indian lives." In reality, world-class players often collapse here during the final competition by losing their balls in the creek in front of the green. Behind the green of hole 12, hole 13 is in full azalea bloom, earning praise as "the most beautiful par 5 hole in the world." Hole 16 looks like a painting with its lake and bunkers filled with sparkling spruce sand.

The Masters is especially sensitive about spectator etiquette. Every year, a guidebook is distributed, with a stern warning on the first page stating, "Galleries with poor manners will be immediately expelled." Running is absolutely prohibited, and entering inside the ropes is forbidden. Holding flags with players' names, cheering slogans, or placards is all banned. Phones and cameras are not allowed at all, meaning no photos can be taken. It is impossible to hide them even with metal detectors.

Autographs are the same. If needed, you can freely get autographs at the par 3 contest held the day before the opening on the green of hole 9. It is convenient to buy food locally. Prices at the golf course are surprisingly affordable, with water and snacks costing $1 to $2, bell peppers and chicken sandwiches $2 to $3, club sandwiches, beer, and potato chips $7 to $8. Augusta National, which advocates "non-commercialism," also restricts prices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.