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. 9: Par-4 / 460 yards (Carolina Cherry)
By Vijay Singh (2000 Masters champion)
What you see off the tee: “The course has changed from the first time I played it. Nine has gotten tighter and tighter, and longer too. The hole goes right to left, but the fairway slopes left to right.”
What you don’t know until you’ve played it: “How the lie in the fairway can be so difficult. The ball is always below your feet and you’re hitting up to the green. That lie gets your attention, because you have to almost draw the ball in on the approach, but it’s always a fade lie.”
Where you will gain the greatest advantage: “The longer you drive it, the easier the hole is. Generally, you want to take the drive as close to the trees on the right as possible. Depending on the conditions, bigger hitters can just blow it over the [left] trees and be hitting a nice wedge in from the flat.”
Where you will make the biggest mistake: “Being on the correct tier of the green is so important. The 9th green is one of the harder greens to read at Augusta, because of those tiers.”
Why it’s unforgettable to me: “Every hole at Augusta has something different to offer; every one has some kind of character. That’s what makes it a great golf course.”
Did you know… Still visible to the right of the green on No. 9 is “Roberts Plateau,” a landing area for short hitters.
