Every year when golfers are asked about Augusta National they say something to the effect of, “It’s a second shot course.” That means you have to hit approach shots into the proper spots on the greens in order to have realistic birdie chances, and that’s absolutely true.
The other thing they invariably say is that the course tends to favor long hitters and players who are excellent drivers. There is no rough at Augusta, only a second cut of slightly-higher grass surrounding the fairways, so big hitters can be more aggressive.
Before the start of this year’s Masters, Augusta National moved the Masters tees back 15 yards and more to the golfer’s left on the par-5 15th hole and recontoured the fairway. The Masters tee on the 18th hole has also been extended 13 yards in the back, which could make it more challenging to curve the ball down the fairway while avoid the trees on both the left and right of the teeing area.
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Stretched to the tips, Augusta National can now play as long as 7,510 yards, and while it is unlikely that the club will opt to set the course up to that length, driving will once again play a huge part in the outcome of the tournament.
Below is the list of the top contenders at the 2022 Masters, based on Tipco betting odds, and the drivers they are expected to play.
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