Paradise Lost

Despite setting an expectation that a wind of change was blowing down Magnolia Lane (Mike Weir suggested a few weeks ago that the Green Blazers were all set to radically shorten / alter several holes in response to criticism of the last two Masters), it seems that ultimately only a gentle zephyr has ruffled the azaleas and dogwoods of Augusta National.

ANGC announced earlier this week that a handful of tee boxes would be extended by 5 - 10 yards, to offer a greater variety of options should weather conditions dictate. Hardly earth shattering, and on the face of it a weak response to a growing tide of apathy surrounding this once proud tournament.

In fairness, I have defended the Green Blazers in the past two years. 2007 was unusually cold and breezy, with the firm course playing havoc. And in 2008, everything was bubbling up nicely until a strong wind on the final day saw scores soar. In sahort - mitigating circumstances.

However, they have lengthened, tightened and toughened the course to such an extent that the event is now unrecognisable from the one that captured my imagination in the 1980's. While I understand the reasoning (an attempt to have golfers playing second shots with the same clubs as 20 years ago), they have gone too far, and reduced a tournament famed for risk and reward to a dull grind.

Cases in point - Hole 7, lengthened by 50-60 yards, when the green is small, bunkered, and only receptive to wedge shots. Hole 11, where a second shot with a mid - long iron leaves no opportunity for taking the pin on, and many players aim short and right to leave a straighforward pitch. And hole 18, where the shorter hitters are playing uphill with woods or hybrids on their second shots.

It would take so little effort to restore the tournament to the levels of excitement seen previously, while still ensuring that the course is a stern test of skill and character - shorten a few holes, remove some trees, and mow down the "rough". And to most of us, this is common sense. Unfortunately Billy Payne and his green blazered buddies don't agree, and an opportunity has been missed.

It will be interesting to see how the 2009 Masters pans out, and how another zzzzzzzzz-factor will impact ratings, credibility and status. It takes a massive stretch of the imagination to foresee The Players usurping the Masters as one of the four majors, but stranger things have happened (just ask Messrs Hornby and Goodwin).