The Rundown: 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National

Up next is the first Major of the season, the 2023 Masters!!!

“A tradition unlike any other,” Augusta National is probably the most famous golf course on the planet with the Masters tournament being considered the most prestigious tournament in golf.

Last year, Scottie Scheffler took the lead after round 2 and never looked back. He won his first Major with a score of 10-under and won by three strokes over Rory Mcllroy who stormed back on Sunday shooting a 64.

In 2021, Hideki Matsuyama edged out Will Zalatoris by one stroke to win his first Major and become the first Japanese golfer to win a Major. Matsuyama led by four strokes at the start of his Sunday round but the lead evaporated quickly after he bogeyed his first hole. Xander Schauffele was in contention until he hit his ball in the water on the par 3 16th hole and triple-bogeyed.

Augusta National is a 7,500 yard par 72 with many fast, tiered, undulating bentgrass greens. Many holes have elevation changes with uphill/downhill tee and approach shots. There are 41 bunkers and 6 Water Hazards.

Augusta is home to the famous 3-hole stretch from holes 11 to 13 known as “Amen Corner”. 

It starts with the 11th hole which is a 520 yard par 4 which plays as the hardest hole on the course. It’s followed by the 12th hole, a 155 yard par 3 with water in front of the green and often swirling winds.

Last is the 13th hole, a 510 yard Par 5 with a creek across the front of the green. It plays as the 2nd easiest hole on the course but is very much a risk/reward hole. Amen Corner is often the make-or-break stretch for many contenders.

Greens in regulation percentage comes in lower than tour average at 60%. Which will increase a need for around the green play.

Approach shots are key as with most courses, but many of Augusta’s greens are tiered with heavy undulations which require a knowledge of hitting the correct spots in order to create scoring opportunities and more importantly; prevent 3 putts.

Augusta National averages almost 35% more 3 putts than the tour average.

Tee shots require a similar strategy. Hitting fairways is more likely at Augusta compared to tour average with fairways hit at a 68% clip. However, with a few doglegs and the aforementioned approach strategy, just hitting fairways is not good enough.

The proper location/lie will go a long way to having a chance to hit the approach shots to the desired location. Being in the rough in certain spots could even set up better 2nd shots. Driving Accuracy is important but don’t underestimate Driving Distance. Golfers who can “bomb” it to the proper spot will have a sizeable advantage.

Because so much strategy is required at Augusta we will want to rely on golfers with good course history far more so than at most courses. An understanding of the greens can not be understated.

* The field consists of 89 golfers and the top 50 and ties will make the cut after 36 holes

2023 Masters Tournament: Key Stats and Figures

• Strokes Gained Approach
• Strokes Gained Off the Tee
• Driving Distance
• Course History
• Scrambling
• 3 putt avoidance

Historical Cut Line

• 2022: +5
• 2021: +3
• 2020: +3
• 2019: +4
• 2018: +6
• 2017: +7

Recent Masters Champions

2022: Scottie Scheffler -10
2021: Hideki Matsuyama -10
2020: Dustin Johnson -20
2019: Tiger Woods -13
2018: Patrick Reed -15
2017: Sergio Garcia -9
2016: Danny Willett -5
2015: Jordan Spieth -18
2014: Bubba Watson -8
2013: Adam Scott -9