Sigh: The "Second Cut" Is Up, New Trees Planted At Augusta National

Eureka Earth’s overhead from a few weeks ago shows a new grove of trees left of the 18th hole fairway bunkers (left side of image)

I felt like we were making such progress with Augusta National, down to public comments by Chairman Fred Ridley to uphold the original architectural vision of Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones.

So to read of Hootie Johnson-era manipulations to the course via rough and trees is, well, a setback given the well-stated views of the architects.

From ESPN.com’s Bob Harig Monday course assessment:

The rough appears longer. It's possible it will be cut prior to the first round, but on Monday it was thicker than what the "first cut'' would normally play and look.

In various spots, clusters of trees have been added. One interesting location is beyond the fairway bunkers on the 18th. At least five trees have been added, making the idea of blasting a tee shot over those bunkers less advantageous. Could this be in response to Bryson DeChambeau, who could easily bomb his tee shots that distance.

There is also another cluster of trees farther up the right side of the fairway at the par-5 13th. It may prevent those who think they can just blast the ball into the 14th fairway from the tee into thinking they can do so.

It’s been written about ad nauseum, but a wider Augusta National with fairways running like they did before the grain-cut toward tees would be more interesting and no less difficult. Given that there is an established record of comments by Jones and MacKenzie regarding artificial rough and use of trees, this is a disappointing sign that Augusta National anticipates no changes on the equipment regulation front.