[Masters] The Lengthened 'Amen Corner'... "What About the Curse of the Indian?"

Augusta National 11th Hole (Par 4) Extended by 20 Yards to 520 Yards, Becoming a 'Monster Hole'; The Biggest Challenge Remains the 12th Hole

Rory McIlroy is reading the putting line on the 11th hole on the first day of the Masters. Augusta (USA) = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "It has become 35 yards longer."

On the 8th (Korean time), the battleground for the first major of the 2022 season, the Masters, Augusta National Golf Club (par 72, 7,510 yards) in Augusta, Georgia, USA, saw changes to two holes this year: the 11th hole (par 4) and the 15th hole (par 5). The 11th hole was especially lengthened by 15 yards, becoming a monstrous 520-yard hole. Interestingly, it is longer than the par 5 15th hole (510 yards). The key battleground remains holes 11 to 13, known as the 'Amen Corner.'

Herbert Warren, a Sports Illustrated (SI) reporter, named it after being inspired by the jazz band tune 'Shouting at Amen Corner' in 1958. The first hole, the 11th, was the second most difficult after the 10th hole (par 4) last year. Over four rounds, there were only 15 birdies, but 99 bogeys and 13 double or worse scores were recorded. A precise tee shot avoiding the lake on the left side of the fairway is essential. Only then can players attempt to reach the green on their second shot.

Failing to get 'on the green' comes with a heavy price. The left side of the green is all water, and it is daunting to take a shot while facing the lake on the right. This time, at 520 yards, a longer club is needed for the second shot. Players also focused on attacking the 11th hole during practice rounds. The 'returned golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) said, "Approaching the green is very important," and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) described it as "difficult to save par."

Brooks Koepka is teeing off at the 12th hole on the first day of the Masters. Augusta, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

The 12th hole (par 3) is the place where fatal triple bogeys or worse often occur near the end. Although it is only 155 yards long, a 'computer iron shot' is essential to reach the narrow space between the creek in front of the green and the bunker behind it. Locals even spread a superstition saying, "An American Indian burial ground was discovered in 1931," and "strange things often happen." Bubba Watson actually recorded a septuple bogey with '9 on 1 putt' in the 4th round of 2013, and Jordan Spieth had a quadruple bogey with '6 on 1 putt' on the final day in 2016.

Woods benefited greatly from the 12th hole when he won in 2019. Francesco Molinari (Italy), who was leading by two strokes, had his ball land on the bunker lip and then go into the creek, resulting in a double bogey. Molinari suffered further misfortune on the 13th hole (par 5), where his third shot from 80 yards hit a tree branch and again went into the water, ultimately forcing him to swallow his tears. Woods himself endured humiliation during the 'Fall Masters' last November, recording an '8 on 2 putts' septuple bogey on the final day.

The 158-yard tee shot landed in the creek, and after a one-stroke penalty, the third shot rolled down the green slope into the water. The fifth shot was caught in the bunker behind the green, and the sixth shot again went into the water hazard. Even though the 13th hole (par 5) was lengthened by 20 yards, reaching the green in two shots is still possible, allowing for birdies or eagles. The final challenge is undoubtedly the 'glass plate green.' A 1-meter downhill putt seems to stop just before the hole but then rolls out.

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