With the world’s best golfers gathering in Augusta, Georgia for the Masters Tournament this week, some players are already noticing a major change in the iconic landscape. These changes will also be detected by around 40,000 fans who visited Augusta to participate in the tournament from Thursday to Sunday.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helen brought a marked change to the lush greenery and left Augusta National Golf Club.
The Category 4 storm hit September, ripping through the southeast and snatching hundreds of trees at Augusta National.
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At the time, Augusta National Chair Fred Ridley said in a press release that the club’s focus was on ensuring community safety.
“Our Augusta community is suffering from devastating and historical impacts from Hurricane Helen,” Ridley said.
Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia lost hundreds of trees (not in the photo) after Hurricane Helen was destroyed last fall. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Players pursuing the coveted green jacket may notice some holes being thinned and present a new attack plan.
The Associated Press reported that golfers sparked the most conversation, noting the loss of the tree on the left side of the fairway.
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“If you feel it’s very dangerous, there’s a bit of a gap on the left side of the tree and you can hit it there,” Xander Schauffele said.
“It’s a bit dangerous, but in the past the ball will hit a tree and fall 90 feet off the teebox… But most of the time, I think the course will play exactly the same as before.”
The hurricane destruction has transformed Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, and comments on the missing tree. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“I was watching trees. It felt like I was playing the back nine for the first time,” the nine-time PGA Tour winner said.
Schauffele also said “pretty crazy and sad” to see how many trees have been removed due to the storm.
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Augusta National is famous for its magnolia trees that lend their name to the iconic “Magnolia Lane” at the entrance to the club.
Many holes on the course are named after nearby flowers, such as the second “Pink Dogwood” and the 13th hole “Azalea.”
Here is the 13th hole in Augusta, known as “Azalea.” (Augusta National/Getty Images)
John Rahm also shared that he heard the conversation about the possibility of a new route for the 10th Tee.
“Someone said you can cut high above the cabin at 10 o’clock. I don’t believe it,” Rahm said.
The 2023 Masters Champion said he is a bit skeptical of the change in play against the loss of trees.
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“I don’t think there’s a chance that there’s as much tree falling as possible,” he said.
“I’ve heard from members that you can say there’s a difference. You can look a little down as you look down at the property.”
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Rahm said there was a “visual change” in the hole.
Rory McIlroy commented on the 10 shortage trees and clearly did not intimidate the tee’s shooting.
2023 Masters champion John Larm said there was a “visual change” in the hole. (Katie Goodale-Imagn image)
“But apart from that, I think it’s pretty much the same… no doubt some tee shots look a little different,” McIlroy said according to the Associated Press.
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Fox News Digital has contacted Augusta National and the PGA Tour for further comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
