Round One Wrap, Day Two Preview: Tricky Pins No Defense Against Soft And Wind (When It's Down)

So goes the wind, so goes scoring at Augusta National. That seemed to be the takeaway Thursday after tough, swirling winds kept scoring in check and players pleased with their under par scores early. The afternoon wave suffered early, but if they survived the difficult front nine, the wind laying down late led to a birdie barrage that put afternoon starters Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson at the top.

As I note here for Golfweek, players brought up the hole locations after their round and I interpret what that means.

The day one locations can be referenced here. No let up in the tucked hole locations on a soggy day 2 morning:

Here are the hole locations for the second round of #themasters. pic.twitter.com/NTJedx273Q

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 12, 2019

The big stat on so many minds given the leaderboard and history:

27 of the last 28 Masters champions were inside the top-10 after the 2nd round. 4 of the last 5 held the 36-hole lead or co-lead.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 12, 2019

The shot and moment of the day belonged to Bryson DeChambeau, whose 18th hole second shot hit the flagstick and stayed out, leading to his ninth birdie of the round and the co-lead with Brooks Koepka. The magical finish and story from Beth Ann Nichols.

Phil Mickelson had his best first round since 2010 and is just one stroke back of Koepka and DeChambeau.

Your groupings and TV info here.

WSJ: Augusta National Has Spent $200 Million On Real Estate Purchases, New TV Compound Coming Next

Thanks to reader JB for Brian Costa’s Wall Street Journal look at Augusta National’s real estate purchases, with the Journal estimating $200 million spent.

From the story, with some really nice graphics and an overhead aerial of 2002 vs. 2018 worth playing with too.

In the areas immediately surrounding golf’s most exclusive club, there are generally only two types of properties: the ones Augusta National has acquired—and the ones it will acquire.

In the last 20 years, the club has spent around $200 million to buy more than 100 pieces of land totaling no fewer than 270 acres, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of property and tax assessor records and interviews with people familiar with the transactions.

To further insulate one of the most hallowed grounds in American sports from the outside world, Augusta National has bought and demolished entire residential blocks and commercial strips. It has purchased properties more than a mile from its iconic clubhouse. And it is hardly slowing down.

The Augusta Chronicle’s Susan McCord looks at the announcement Wednesday by Chairman Fred Ridley explaining what some of these purchases mean: a new television compound across the street.

Until Amen Corner Live Comes Around, How To Use The (Incredible) New Masters.com Toy To Reviewing Every Shot, Every Hole

Christmas in April arrives around 11:15 am-ish ET in the form of Amen Corner Live. That’s about when Andrew Landry, Adam Long and Kevin Tway will be arriving to kick off the coverage from Augusta National’s 11th, 12th and 13th holes.

But before then, you can sample the new Masters.com leaderboard announced Wednesday and see every shot hit so far, within minutes of actually happening. The early signs are beyond encouraging.

A few observations:

—We are already seeing new camera angles and shots we have not seen before.

—The shots include graphics with score information as well.

—The design is simple and makes sense on a desktop or on the Masters app.

—Speed is varying, from within minutes of a player completing the hole to a half-hour in some cases.

Here’s how to use it:

Pull up any Masters leaderboard, both traditional and modern views. Players whose score features a while backdrop will feature a replay of all shots. Scores in grey have yet to be posted.

The look on mobile:

Ridley Draws The Line On Distance? No 13th Hole Changes Until Distance Report Arrives

The predicted (second) lengthening of Augusta National’s 13th hole will not be happening in the summer of 2019 based on Chairman Fred Ridley’s prepared remarks delivered to the media Wednesday.

Read carefully and read between those lines…

It should come as no surprise to any of you that we continue to study other enhancements to the golf course.  That includes much‑talked‑about changes, potential changes, to the 13th hole. 

Admittedly, that hole does not play as it was intended to play by Jones and MacKenzie.  The momentous decision that I've spoken about and that Bobby Jones often spoke about, of going for the green in two, is to a large extent, no longer relevant. 

Although we now have options to increase the length of this hole, we intend to wait to see how distance may be addressed by the governing bodies before we take any action.

I think the former USGA president may have just suggested he senses action is coming.

I’m sorry, I interrupted…

In doing so, we fully recognize that the issue of distance presents difficult questions with no easy answers.  But please know this:  The USGA and The R&A do have the best interests of the game at heart.  They recognize the importance of their future actions.  You can be assured that we will continue to advocate for industry‑wide collaboration in support of the governing bodies as they resolve this very important topic. 

Of course, no resolution has been the stance of the PGA Tour, PGA of America and most major manufacturers, so the idea of a conclusion to the liking of Mr. Ridley and Augusta National would seem to include some form of new distance regulation. Or a new tee that they clearly do not want to add.

First Of First World Matters: Augusta Country Club Now Visible From Augusta National

While Big Oak gabbers have been looking over shoulders for a more interesting conversation, some have noticed the shocking sight of Augusta Country Club in the distance.

Now, most people would appreciate such views to capture the scale and grandeur of a property, but Augusta National values its privacy. So the ability to see through may not be something the club is too excited about.

From Doug Stutsman’s Augusta Chronicle story:

After a land deal between the two clubs in 2017, Augusta Country Club underwent a regrassing and bunker renovation project through most of last year, while holes Nos. 8 and 9 received an architectural change. During the project, which forced Augusta Country Club to close its course for 5 1/2 months, trees were removed from No. 8, in turn leaving a more unobstructed view of both courses.

“Taking out trees to the left of No. 8 at Augusta Country Club really opened it up,” Mize said. “But, look, these are two great clubs. Two tremendous clubs. So this is OK. This isn’t a bad thing.”

2019 Masters Picks Roundup: Will A Soft Course Favor Bombers?

The tradition unlike another other

I penned this almost-opinion piece for Golfweek about the soft conditions and whether the players who carry the ball longest will be an a distinct advantage. My instinct says yes, but Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and others made a case that distance will have just its normal advantage. In part, that may stem from the fairway cut here that has minimized roll in the last decade.

That said, here are the leaders in PGA Tour carry distance.

Remember, No. 5 adds another driver back in the hands of the big boys.

David Dusek looks at the statistics if you’re wanting to validate a case for longer players.

Dan Kilbridge reaches out to the last minute gamblers and fantasy players with his advice for Golfweek.

Ryan Herrington offers up nine "sneaky” picks for Golf World.

ESPN’s Chris Fallica is picking Jon Rahm and expanding his efforts to the Masters, reports Doug Stutsman for the Augusta Chronicle.

The Golf.com gang makes their picks here.

Players React To New Fifth: Long, Tough And The Driver Restored

I penned this piece for Golfweek rounding up player assessments of the remodeled 5th hole.

Jim McCabe at Masters.com looks at the changes and there is a fantastic flyover where the new left hole location resored is visible.

Fred Ridley spoke about the changes today:

As has been reported, last summer, the fifth tee was moved back and shifted away from the fourth green.  In doing so, the fairway landing area was regraded and the bunkers were repositioned.  While this hole now measures 40 yards longer, we believe this change maintains the original design philosophy of Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, and not only continues our commitment to keep the course in step with the changing state of the game, but we believe it will have a positive impact on pace of play. 

As part of this renovation, we took the opportunity to rebuild and slightly enlarge the fifth green.  In doing so, we were able to make adjustments to the back left portion of the putting green in order to support new hole locations. 

But an exciting byproduct of this instruction is the improvements to our patron experience.  For the first time, we will route patrons down the right side of the fourth hole, as well as behind the green, providing an attractive vantage point for this challenging par 3. 

The new tee at No. 5 also provides for additional viewing areas, so we feel these holes have been much improved from a patron perspective. 

Here is the Masters Instagram post and flyover embed.

View this post on Instagram

Chairman Fred Ridley on hole No. 5, Magnolia: “While this hole now measures 40 yards longer, we believe this change maintains the original design philosophy of Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie.”

A post shared by The Masters (@themasters) on Apr 10, 2019 at 9:14am PDT

The bunkers are just a bit large off the tee and overwhelming in scale and difficulty given what both Bob Jones and Alister MacKenzie detailed (they were conflicted about those bunkers, with Jones adding them after the course opened and after having shot down their initial inclusion). A drive over those bunkers—314 carry—may not be rewarded with a clean look at the green from the fairway if there is any run to the ball.. It feels like the location of the old bunkers was not adequately filled in, so I suspect the tee shot will actually favor a left to right shape.

The green complex still looks intimidating and in firmer years may prompt a run-up, with the new left hole location an almost impossible birdie unless a player sinks a long putt.

Did Brooks Koepka Slim Down For A Magazine Shoot?

It’s a question on inquiring minds given that he won two majors last year: why did Brooks Koepka go on a diet? When first mentioned, it sounded like a health matter. But as Eamon Lynch notes in this wrap up of Koepka’s Masters press conference where Koepka revealed the recent end to a 1800-calorie-a-day diet, blood-testing and no gym time has his energy levels coming back.

The reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year attributes that to some minor health issues that began at the Players last month. “Just had a bunch of blood work and trying to figure out what was going on.  The diet I was on was probably not the best,” Koepka admitted. “I was like 1,800 calories a day.  I mean, you’re not going to be in the best physical shape at that point. You look at somebody like Michael Phelps or somebody like that eating 6,000 or 7,000 calories by lunch time. But I wanted to do it and try to lose some weight, and maybe went about it a little too aggressively for just a long period of time and the intensity of what I was doing.”

One possible reason for Koepka’s intense effort to get lean: according to reports, the famously buff golfer will appear in the buff in ESPN’s Body Issue, which will be released later this summer.

Golfers know the history of the sport has seen players transform their bodies in short time with poor results, but as Brandel Chamblee notes last night on Live From, this one may be unprecedented in sports history given Koepka’s recent form.

Patrick Reed Concerned His Family Will Try To Watch His Masters Defense

Excellent reporting by Karen Crouse of the New York Times on Patrick Reed’s continued family issues, including his frustration with an inability to have his estranged dad ejected from tournament spectating.

Make sure to take in the full story: it’s strange and of course, sad. And maybe unprecedented for golf:

Reed’s parents live six miles from Augusta National Golf Club, in a two-story, Southern-style Colonial replete with a bedroom shrine to their first child and only son, who hasn’t stepped foot in the house since 2012. This week should be a joyous homecoming for Reed, who led Augusta State (now Augusta University) to back-to-back national championships and will preside over Tuesday’s legends-laden Champions dinner. But instead it has all the makings of a nightmare, with his acrimonious relationship with his family threatening to become as much a part of this year’s Masters narrative as his attempt to become the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2002 to successfully defend his title.

“I wouldn’t at all be surprised if they show up,” Reed said.

Bryson's Pace Of Play Theory: Walk Quickly Then Analyze Deliberately

This was an interesting and legitimate claim made by Bryson DeChambeau in his Monday Masters press conference, unfortunately for him, the rules only address the amount of time taken when reaching the ball.

Q.  Where is that balance between trying to play at a pretty good pace, and getting all the information you want to get before hitting a shot? 

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU:  Well, that's a great question.  I think we do a fantastic job of taking all the information we can in the allotted amount of time. 

Now the one piece of information that a lot of people miss is the walk to the ball.  There's a three‑minute walk, 2 1/2 minute walk that people don't take into account.  You can gain a lot more time by walking 15 seconds quicker to the ball than you can by five seconds over a shot. 

So people don't take that into account when we talk about slow play.  I may be a guy that hits it up there farther than someone, and they are taking their merry time getting to their golf ball and it's behind me and I'm already up there and I can't get any of my numbers because I'm right in their line of sight. 

Once they do their whole process that takes maybe 25 seconds compared to my 35‑second to 40‑second preparation to hit the shot, by the time we walk back over and get the number, do all that, you can view me as a slow player.

In the end I look at it from another standpoint saying there's a whole other piece to this puzzle that we are not looking at yet.

Masters Merch Roundup, 2019!

My Golfweek look at the best of 2019’s Masters merchandise is now posted.

Answers For Masters Bucket Listers: How to Make the Most of Your Masters Visit

One of the great privileges of covering a few Masters comes in the form of emails I now annually receive asking for the best way to maximize a day at the Masters.

Since practice rounds and events like the Augusta National Women’s Amateur have added more opportunities to visit here, short term visits to the Masters have become more commonplace. This adds a sense of urgency and dare I say stress to a visit.

In this long-form piece for Masters.com, I try to cover all of the key questions about folding chair placement, Founders Circle photos, the Golf Shop, best places to watch and Georgia Peach ice Cream Sandwiches, all so you can focus on what matters: watching golf and having a great time.

1939: When The Masters Became The Masters

Most of us would be giving the wrong answer if we said the Masters was officially born in year two of the tournament, but as John Steinbreder explains in this Masters.com story, the rollout was not really official until 1939. There’s hope for The Tournament Players Championship/The Players Championship/The Players/The PLAYERS!

As much as Jones disdained the name, it had more than its fair share of early adopters. In fact, Roberts relates how a mutual friend of theirs, Tom Barrett, was so disappointed that the competition was not being called the Masters that he told a newspaper reporter friend about it. That person then wrote a story on the matter, which was one reason several members of the media referred to the event during its inaugural playing as the Masters Tournament.

“By 1935, most of the media did so, and in 1936, no one except the Club called the Tournament by any other name than the Masters,” Roberts wrote.

The First Masters Since 1950 Without His Ownself

Bill Fields with a nice remembrance and Masters history of the late Dan Jenkins’ era, a record of attendance (68 years)n and productivity unlikely to be matched.

Here’s how it all started:

It was 1951. Jenkins was a 22-year-old Texas Christian University student and golf-team member moonlighting as a sportswriter for his hometown newspaper, The Fort Worth Press. His beat essentially was Ben Hogan, a native son, who made Jenkins’ maiden journey to Georgia a memorable one with a two-stroke victory.

“The press tent was indeed a tent and open at two sides to catch the breezes,” Jenkins said in 2018 of the first time he reported from Augusta National. “Table-model typewriters were provided, but you brought along your own portable in case the one at your assigned seat wasn’t worth the struggle. Light bulbs dangled from the ceiling above. A crowded row of Western Union operators was on hand to send your stories, often turning them into puzzles in their haste. You kept a carbon copy to use when calling the office to clean things up. Almost everybody smoked every waking moment.”

His Ownself’s seat this week. Boy I’ll miss those drive-bys to ask a question!

View this post on Instagram

The Masters Tournament is remembering long-time journalist Dan Jenkins at his seat in the Press Building this year. The World Golf Hall of Famer, who died on March 7, covered 68 consecutive Masters, beginning in 1951.

A post shared by The Masters (@themasters) on Apr 5, 2019 at 4:03am PDT

How About A Little Drive, Chip And Putt During Masters Practice Rounds?

The PGA of America brought back the old long drive contest at the PGA Championship and it’s been a nice practice round addition.

After another successful Drive, Chip and Putt at Augusta National, I sense the format has not picked up enough steam outside of this event. Why aren’t more junior tournaments kicking off with a fun DCP, or club invitationals or…Masters practice rounds?

I present a short case for Golfweek and suggest that many in the Masters field could not pull off what two national finalists accomplished in 2019: making both putts on the 18th green. Amazing. These kids today.