AUGUSTA, Ga. — Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, LIV golfer, entered the Masters tournament with a T4 finish at last year’s US Open. He is a highly skilled, mentally and physically fit golfer, playing in his second Masters. He shot 80 on Thursday. You might say he played poorly but this would be a more accurate statement: Augusta National is an incredibly difficult course.
If you’ve ever played it, you know that any two putt from 20 feet is a success. Augusta National during the Masters – back tees, open fairways full of spectators, cameras pointed at you, and millions watching on TV, fairways cut to the length of the staff, and the hope of immortality – is almost impossible.
Us average golfers can’t even imagine how hard it is.
My friend Mike Donald and I talk about this all the time. Not ten years ago, but years ago, when Mike was in his 60s, we played as guests and Mike played back. He played well, blocked everything and shot 80.
In the 1990 Masters, Mike played in his first (of two) Masters. The course played hard on Thursday and the stroke average was 74. Mike had to be one of the top 100 golfers in the world at that time. Bill Harmon, the son of a Masters champion, was Mike’s golfer and he knew what he was doing. Things were stressful. Mike shot 64.
In those days, the field was reset for Friday’s round based on Thursday’s scores and Mike was in the final two on Friday. It wasn’t like he forgot how to play, day after day. Mike shot an 82 with no foul play. He started with three bogeys. It happened before that day, it happened since then and it will happen again.
Somewhere out there in this great podcasting moment, there are people talking about what average golfers can shoot at Augusta. There was one podcast this year where the co-host, a golfer with a 7-handicap, wondered what he would do at the Masters if he could play every hole under certain fantasy conditions: Second shot on eight par-4 holes from 100 yards, third shot on four par-5 holes from 100 yards; tees on four par-3 holes from 100 yards. 100 yard fantasy.
The 7-handicapper said he could win the Masters in those conditions.
Mike and I were in total agreement: You’re screwed.
“Rory McIlroy couldn’t hit that green on 13,” Mike said, recalling McIlroy’s short third shot on the par-5 13th on Sunday. He did 7.
“From 120 yards to 18, you put that ball in the under,” Mike said, referring to McIlroy’s 72nd hole at last year’s Masters. He needed 4 to win, but he was playing for immortality. “He couldn’t do it and he’s the best in the world. How is a 7-year-old going to play those shots?”
It won’t happen.
Let’s repeat: Back girls, fairways full of spectators, millions more watching on TV, cameras pointed at you, fairways cut to staff length, playing for immortality? And your gaming partner is staring at bullets for you?
No 7-handicapper would have a chance.
Mike and I created our own scoring situation, with the same 100 yard rules. Our theoretical golfer would be a club champion at Acme Golf & Country Club, capable of shooting a 77 at home any day of the week and probably on better days. The iconic golfer is now the 54-hole leader at the Masters, playing under 100-yard rules. Will the golfer make it to the Butler Cabin?
Mike’s verdict: Not a chance.
“Anytime you putt 30 feet or more, you’re never going to make one and you’re going to be lucky to two putt,” Mike said. That was his start and it was a disaster. You can do well if you go for 45 putts, with nine greens for two putts and nine greens for three putts. If you hit nine greens and miss nine greens and need one chip or bunker shot on those nine holes, that can add up to a 71. That looks good too.
You’re a good club player and now you’re trying to win the Masters? Rory McIlroy was the best player in the world three shots on the back-nine and needed a playoff to win.
“You’re 100 yards away, and that ball is sitting up and it’s a green lie — if you’re a Tour player,” Mike said. “But for a good country club golfer, anything other than solid ball contact, a take-a-divot will mean something fat and short or thin and long. Now you’re looking at one or two chips and, often casually, three putts. The next hole, you’re looking at the same lie again — it’s like a ball on the driving range, except you hit it high and your club lifts the ball. The three-putt, it’s sitting on the head. yours.
“At 15, fat is in the pool and thin in the other,” Mike continued. The third shot there from 100 yards is a downhill shot from a downhill lie, a terrific combination. “If you’re going from the 15th green, you know how easy it is to get it from the green to that lake?”
Very, very easy.
Maybe you’ll two-putt.
The 6th hole may be the hardest 100 yard par 3 in the world, playing on the typical Sunday hole back right, on a shelf the size of a White House banquet table. Even if you can get your tee shot to sit on the shelf, any missed 2 putt can end up on the front of the green which is steep. You can do well to three putt from there. Another double on the card, with 12 more holes of torture to go.
Any Sunday score below 80 in our club championship from average performers in these conditions would be a success.
“It’s late, it’s blue and you’re nervous as hell,” Mike said. Yes, 80 would be a good score.
Rory McIlroy showed just how tough Augusta National is last year on Sunday. Carlos Ortiz showed it on Thursday. Here comes Friday, Saturday, Sunday. It gets even harder.
