Officially, there is only one notable change to Augusta National for this year’s Masters, with the tee at the par-5 second hole extended back and to the left by 10 yards. Unofficially, however, patrons and players will notice a handful of other modifications.
There are optical illusions all over Augusta National, according to Ralph Bauer, a PGA Tour putting coach to multiple players in the Masters field and co-founder of the popular Tour Read putting app.
England’s Lottie Woad punctuated a comeback from a stumble with three birdies in the last four holes – including a converted 15-footer at the 18th – to capture the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
For the three-time Masters champion, it’s been a gradual, circuitous and finally sudden journey, as big a reversal in public image as golf has ever seen.
Since his epic back-nine collapse in 2011 that torpedoed what would have been a wire-to-wire victory, McIlroy hasn’t given himself many chances at the Masters.
The less-than-casual angle to it is that this visit probably provides a good indication that Woods is feeling healthy enough to compete in the 88th Masters when it begins on April 11.
For the fifth time, Augusta National hosts this premier amateur competition. To get you ready for the occasion, here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.