You can bet they’re putting in overtime up there in Golf Heaven, aka Augusta National Golf Club.
The countdown to the long-delayed 2020 Masters is in its final stages — T-minus 14 days and counting until it’s Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus hitting the ceremonial first tee shots in the early morning hours on Thursday, November 12.
This Masters is truly unlike any other.
The traditional Wednesday Par Three tournament is off.
Spring turns to fall this coming Saturday night when the clocks are turned back an hour and daylight becomes a big issue for this November Masters.
There will be a little less than 10 and a half hours of daylight to get 96 players in on Thursday and Friday. They will be doing something that hasn’t been seen at The Masters — two tee starts on Thursday and Friday with threesomes.
The only traditional first-tee only start will come on Saturday.
On Sunday, even Augusta National with all its power, will bow to the NFL. They’ll start early so they can finish by 3 p.m. to accommodate the CBS NFL contract. Just hope it doesn’t go to a playoff.
The Sunday final round will send players off both tees thanks to that early deadline.
Now, about this two-tee start. Overall, the front is the easier of the nines with a friendly beginning — the par four first is a short-iron in. Two is a reachable par five and some players will try and drive the green at the short par four third.
The back nine is a really tough way to start your day. The downhill 10th is mean, same for the long 11th and it was the 12th last year that sunk a bunch of contenders and allowed Tiger Woods a path to victory. It’s not out of the question that a player could finally get to the easy par five 13th and stand three-over par.
With early morning tee times a must, it’s possible that the temperatures could be relatively chilly (hear that Tiger?).
As for course condition, it should be simply wonderful with all the prep work going on as you read this.
Jack Nicklaus previously weighed in with his thoughts on this November Masters:
“I try to stay away from Augusta in November, because of the overseed,” Nicklaus said earlier this year. “The fairways are never good then. But they’ll figure that out. They’re going to have to figure out how to get the overseed in and get it cut short and get it crisp so they can play golf shots. That would be the most difficult thing to have in November. I think they’ll try to dry up the fairways. I think the golf course will play relatively short in November.
“The greens will be fine. As a matter of fact, the greens will probably be better in November, because they should be drier then. They’ll be able to get the greens firmer.
“They will have to deal with the lack of daylight. They’ll have quite a bit less daylight in November than they do in April. They’ll have to deal with football.
“But I think the Masters will still be the Masters. Won’t have any flowers. We won’t be looking at azaleas. Or you’ll be looking at them, but they won’t have any flowers on them. But that’s about it. I think they’ll do fine.”
The most important part is the final sentence from Jack: “I think they’ll do fine.”
They will do fine provided play doesn’t get real slow (yes, you Bryson).
They have the plan to deal with the daylight or lack thereof and the early finish on Sunday.
The work on the course has prevented a lot of pre-tournament scouting rounds.
Will April course knowledge be the same as November course knowledge (less advantage for Tiger?).
One thing we know for sure, this November Masters will be nothing like an April Masters.
And that’s the way 2020 has gone for everyone.
7 Comments
baxter cepeda
Good point that the work on the course could keep Tiger and others from being able to visit early.
Guys like Tiger and Phil should have played Augusta a few times in November over the years. If they haven’t taken advantage like Jack because it’s slightly less than perfect, then too bad for them.
Obviously this will be a different course than your typical November day at Augusta National.
It sounds like they could get uniquely firm and fast conditions, which helps shorter hitters and low ball hitters off the tee.
But Harder than normal greens helps high ball hitters on the approaches more than ever.
Tiger is one of the guys whom can pound low tee shots and also sky high approaches. JT comes to mind. Rahm.
But with cold wind more likely, it could easily be a savvy Zack Johnson type stealing one this year.
There will be as many unknowns as missing traditions. The fun unique aspects will more than make up some of those traditions taking a break.
More than anything we Viewers will enjoy the surroundings more than ever sans grandstands and Patrons, Especially around 13-16 area. In many ways even people whom have Been there will see things/views never seen.
Tom Edrington
Have to differ only with the “low ball hitters” part, it’s one reason Lee Trevino couldn’t win there, the hills demand carry and a higher ball flight….same for the greens when they get firm the way the committee wants them, better bring in high approach shots…
baxter cepeda
Yes.
Like I said gotta hit approach shots higher than ever this year. Because they will be former than ever.
But again Jack said the fairways will be firmer than most Masters.
Regardless of where it is, Low ball hitters benefit from firm fairways and cold wind in the face.
Tom Edrington
They may benefit Baxter but would you be on any of them?
baxter cepeda
I don’t understand the question.
baxter cepeda
Oh bet.
I would yes.
Don’t forget Sergio is a low ball driver. Rahm can drive it low.
More importantly that critical advantage of carrying it 350 is lost a bit w form fairways.
So bryson, Rory, guys like that wouldn’t have as big an advantage of the tee. I was surprised how quickly tee shots stop at Augusta.
It’s going to be a different Masters.
There are some top 10 players whom are considered low ball drivers. JT I really think a Zack Johnson type could take this November Masters if all the conditions align for them; more importantly against the 350 carry guys.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: I think the day and age of a Zach Johnson winning a Masters has come and gone although I wouldn’t consider Patrick Reed a bomber.