Famous 13th Hole at Augusta Could Be a Game Changer With Added Yardage

The par five 13th at the Masters is one of the most picturesque holes in golf.
But this week, it could be beauty and the beast.
The scenic hole has been lengthened to a beast-like 545-yards.
That could put the green-side Rae’s Creek in play, if golfers are bold enough to go for it in two.

Besides the azaleas bloomin’
We see drives a boomin’ on 13.
But with an extra 35 yards added to the par five hole, we may see more lay-ups instead of going for it in two.
Said Phil Mickelson:”It’s hard to get past the corner to have a shot at green and not be blocked out by the trees. For me anyways. We played the front of the tee box today, and I think in perfect conditions it’s probably right on. I think with it being wet it would be hard to go for it.”
Said Dustin Johnson:”Yeah definitely made the hole more difficult. Obviously guys that can turn the driver over, it helps them out. But it’s not really my forte with a driver hitting a draw. But you can still make a four, so there’s a lot of ways to do that.”
Said Fred Couples:”At 63 I think it’s an incredible hole. I won’t go for it. I don’t know how I can. But it ain’t about me, it’s about the best players and how far they’re hitting it.”
Rory McIlory leads the tour in driving distance, so of course he likes the added yardage on 13.
Said McIlroy:”It certainly puts the choice back in your mind. Since I’ve played here since 2009, there’s never really been a choice. If you hit a good tee shot, you go for the green. But now there’s a decision to be made.”
Said Jordan Spieth:”I think if you are stuck in-between, and you get more mayhem because you are going to get more water balls instead of guys hitting seven-irons right into the middle of the green. How is that not more exciting?”
Thirteen will be tough, but the squirrley par 3 12th is not far behind.
Said Jon Rahm:”Twelve doesn’t seem to get any easier anytime you play it. The other holes you get more comfortable with. That one just depends on the wind gusts, and if you pull the right club or not right?”