For the first time in more than four decades, Verne Lundquist won’t be in the 16th hole tower at this year’s Masters. However, that doesn’t mean golf fans won’t hear another familiar voice at one of Augusta National’s most famous spots.
While Chamblee says he’s never felt Augusta is a perfect course fit for McIlroy’s game, he stated that the problems, particularly in the first round, seem more mental than physical.
Masters chairman Fred Ridley acknowledged that what Augusta National Golf Club fans will see in April won’t have “quite as many trees as we did a year ago” but that any damage suffered last September when Hurricane Helene rolled through Georgia and the Carolinas won’t be an issue when the Masters is held in less than three months.
“Golf Stat Pro” Lou Stagner decided to crunch the numbers to determine if a 12-handicapper could win the Masters if they began each hole with the longest possible putt on each of Augusta National’s greens.
Augusta National declined to comment on the reports, but if accurate, the younger Manning will join his brother Peyton as a member of the hallowed Masters venue.
Australian Golf Digest
