“Jordan Spieth was 19 under coming to the 18th hole. In the entire history of Master’s tournament no player ever was 19 under. Spieth tied Tiger’s winning record of 18 under, and won by 4 strokes over the nearest two players to finish, Mickelson & Rose”
What is amazing to me is that about 50 years ago “The Golden Bear” finished at 17 under. My understanding is that Augusta is basically the same course it was 50 years ago. Ball / Equipment development is light years ahead of then. And lets face it , the importance of physical conditioning is light years ahead of the avg. PGA Golfer from the 1960’s as well. Jacks -17 under has to be the greatest 4 round score ever at Augusta IMO.
Greens must softer this year..just saying.
No no no....they have lengthened Augusta National considerably and also made it more difficult after Tiger’s ridiculous first win by 10 strokes.
But you do have a point about equipment advances since Nicklaus era. Even I play better now with these Titanium drivers & multi material irons. Hahaha. Those small headed wooden drivers were very difficult to hit.
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-augusta-national-has-changed-2013-4
Totally agree.
For example.
Try swinging as hard as you can with those old small headed real wood woods.
Today, the forgiveness of todays metals allows for massive swings with minimal worry of a mishit.
I agree.
Can you imagine Jones, Hogan, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Trevino, Watson, etc. in their primes playing Augusta with today’s equipment?
I agree with your point - Jack’s 17 under was unbelievably good, but I also think Augusta has changed a lot over the last 50 years.
- many new trees (15 in particular)
- holes lengthened (11 in particular)
- greens much faster
Jacks -17 under has to be the greatest 4 round score ever at Augusta IMO.
...
Jack kept some records of his drives at the Masters, and he was hitting it between 320 and 350, just as long if not longer than what they are hitting it today. Augusta was under 6800 yards back then and with absolutely no rough, but, you are correct, Jack’s win may have been the best golf ever played at Augusta.