In the 65 years since the Masters Tournament was first televised, golf fans have seen every inch of Augusta National’s beauty in high-def close-up. What you’ve never seen is the course — hole by hole, tee box by tee box — through the eyes of 18 living Masters champions, from Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Dustin Johnson, Ben Crenshaw and beyond. Until now. Eighteen holes, 18 winners, 18 ways of seeing Augusta National anew.
Hole No. 14: Par-4 / 440 yards (Chinese Fir)
By Adam Scott (2013 Masters champion)
What you see off the tee: “It’s a pretty generous tee shot — a dogleg left, but you don’t really have to draw it because the fairways have played slow for many years. But if you try and hug the left side, those trees lean out and will really swallow up a ball.”
Where you will gain the greatest advantage: “The right half of the fairway. It’s a nice spot to hit the green from. However, if you do hug the left side and bomb one, it will release a bit and you’ll get a few extra yards out of your drive.”
Where you will make the biggest mistake: “Getting the front slope of the green involved on any shot. You have to hit your second over it with, say, a 9-iron. But you’d rather hit it over the green than hit it short and deal with that six-foot rise. It’s like a three-tiered green running from left to right. The danger pin is left because then you’ll have a really gnarly chip. But every other pin is a bit of a feeder.”
Why it’s unforgettable to me: “The year I finished second, in 2011, I hit a lovely shot in there and made the putt for birdie, and it tied me for the lead at the time. It was like, ‘Hang on, here’s the first time ever — four holes to go and I’m tied for the lead in major.’ That’s a strong memory for me.”
Did you know… A fairway bunker was removed from No. 14 in 1952, making it the only hole at Augusta National without a bunker.
