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US Masters 2023: Course and current form stats

Andy Swales
03 April 2023
4.0 min read

Augusta National has tended to favour the big hitters

The 13th: Will more golf balls end up in Rae's Creek this year?

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The iconic par-five 13th is a major talking point, as the pros prepare for the first major championship of 2023. Words and stats supplied by Andy Swales ...

Augusta beef-up 13th with extra yardage
Eighteen 'Saudi Tour' stars taking part
Long driving stats favour Rory

2023 Masters beckons

The green, green grass of Georgia beckons for golf's leading players who travel to Augusta National for this week's opening major of 2023.

Owing to a change in the golfing calendar in 2019, the four major championships are currently staged within a 15-week window.

It's been nearly nine months (37 weeks) since Aussie Cameron Smith won last year's Open Championship at St Andrews, but the first major of the season is now upon us and, as ever, it begins with The Masters.

Since Smith held aloft the Claret Jug in Scotland last July, the Saudi-based Tour has gained serious momentum - creating a huge division at the head of world golf.

Famous or infamous #13?

There's been one big change at Augusta too, with significant yardage added to the famous par-five 13th hole.

Augusta National management have consistently sought ways to fight back against the game's biggest hitters.

With the pros themselves becoming fitter and stronger year-by-year, combined with manufacturers who are always seeking ways to develop clubs that smack the ball longer distances, courses around the world have taken a hit.

What used to be a 'long par-four', can now be reached with a drive and a short iron, while even par-fives that measure close to 600 yards are often located with two hefty swipes.

The following PGA Tour stats reveal significant changes to driving distance averages through the decades.

Dan Pohl led the Tour stats in 1980 with an average of 274.3 yards which, nowadays, would leave you trailing outside the top 200.

In fact, at April 3rd, 2023, only one golfer (out of 209) on this season's PGA Tour Driving Distance standings is currently hitting the ball shorter distances than 'top of the class' Pohl did 43 years ago.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Leaders (yards)

2020: 322.1 (Bryson DeChambeau)
2010: 315.5 (Robert Garrigus)
2000: 301.4 (John Daly)
1990: 279.6 (Tom Purtzer)
1980: 274.3 (Dan Pohl)

And with Augusta officials desperate to limit the number of 64s, 65s and 66s posted at The Masters, they have had to find ways of making the course tougher.

The hole known as Azalea (13th) will measure 35 yards longer than last year.

It will now shape up at 545 yards, which will certainly make the players wonder whether it's worth going for the green in two shots - or risk ending up in Rae's Creek.

This historic water hazard not only guards the front of the green, but also runs along the left edge of the fairway.

In 2022, the par-five 13th succumbed to six eagles, out of 17 carded at Augusta all-week.

The tournament average for 13 was 4.8516, making it the 16th easiest hole on the course.

Those who run The Masters lengthened the par-five 15th before last year's tournament, by adding 20 yards.

As a result, no eagles were made during competition, which the tournament committee will be hoping will repeat itself on 13 this time around.

Latest betting for this week's Masters Tournament

Stroke Averages

Lowest 15 At Augusta National (2017-22)
Average .... (Rounds)
70.17: Dustin Johnson (18)
70.50: Cameron Smith (20)
70.58: Scottie Scheffler (12)
70.68: Rory McIlroy (22)
70.75: Jon Rahm (24)
71.00: Corey Conners (16)
71.04: Hideki Matsuyama (24)
71.04: Justin Thomas (24)
71.14: Jordan Spieth (22)
71.20: Tony Finau (20)
71.25: Brooks Koepka (16)
71.32: Patrick Reed (22)
71.35: Justin Rose (20)
71.39: Xander Schauffele (18)
71.58: Cameron Champ (12)
71.58: Collin Morikawa (12)
Min. No. of Rounds = 10
Only those competing this week are included in table

Betfair Sportsbook The Masters

Five years ago, it was observed by Augusta chairman Fred Ridley that the leading players were 'hitting middle and even short irons' into the green at 13 and remarked 'that is not a momentous decision. So we think there is an issue.'

And now that the changes have been made, some leading players have had their say.

According to golf.com, defending champ Scottie Scheffler says he will now be taking a driver off the tee, rather than a three-wood.

For those wanting to go for the green in two, he believes a three-iron will become the order of the day, adding: 'So you could see more guys laying up at that hole, depending on pin position.'

Brooks Koepka suggests 'the shorter hitters won't get it around the corner,' while two-time champion Bubba Watson generally agrees with Scheffler and questioned the committee's reasoning.

He said: 'A few years ago, they wanted the roars back on Sunday. Now you're taking away the roars? That's weird.'

Xander Schauffele was unhappy with the 15th being tinkered with in 2022, explaining: 'It's nice to have par-five holes that you can reach in two at Augusta.'

Whether these changes on 13 helps the shorter hitters to compete, or plays even more into the hands of the long drivers, remains to be seen.

The likelihood is that the course will continue to favour the big hitters, when The Masters begins on Thursday.

Driving Distance Averages (yards) on PGA Tour

This Season's Top 10 Thru April 3rd, 2023
1: 326.6 Rory McIlroy
2: 320.4 Brandon Matthews
3: 315.8 Cameron Young
4: 315.1 Matti Schmid
5: 315.0 Cameron Champ
6: 314.1 Jon Rahm
7: 313.7 Jhonattan Vegas
8: 313.0 Wyndham Clark
9: 312.7 Gary Woodland
10: 312.2 Trevor Cone
Note: Not all listed players are taking part this week

Form of Saudi-based Pros teeing-up on Thursday:

Abraham Ancer: No T-12s in these events during 2023;
Bryson DeChambeau: No T-12s in any Saudi events this year;
Sergio Garcia: 6th in Arizona during March, no other T12s;
Talor Gooch: 11th in Mexico during February, no other T12s;
Dustin Johnson: 7th in Orlando on Sunday, no other T12s;
Brooks Koepka: Won in Orlando on Sunday;
Jason Kokrak: 11th in Orlando on Sunday, no other T12s;
Phil Mickelson: No T-12s in these events during 2023;
Kevin Na: 6th in Arizona during March, no other T12s;
Joaquin Niemann: 11th in Mexico during February, no other T12s;
Louis Oosthuizen: Runner-up in Arizona (March), no other T12s;
Mito Pereira: 5th Orlando, 6th Arizona;
Thomas Pieters: No T-12s in these events during 2023;
Patrick Reed: 3rd in Orlando on Sunday, no other T12s;
Charl Schwartzel: No T-12s in these events during 2023;
Cameron Smith: 5th in Mexico during February, no other T12s;
Harold Varner: No T-12s in these events during 2023;
Bubba Watson: No T-12s in these events during 2023;

So far, there has been three tournaments staged, with fields of 48.

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Last 10 Weeks / Augusta Form 2013-22

Position

1–5
6–15
16–25

Player	W13	W12	W11	W10	W9	W8	W7	W6	W5	W4
Scottie Scheffler		4		1	4		12	1
Rory McIlroy		3		MC	2		29	32		1
Jon Rahm		31		Wd	39		1	3		7
Patrick Cantlay		9		19	4		3	MC
Cameron Smith									MC
Max Homa		9		6	14		2	39		1
Xander Schauffele		5		19	39		33	10		13
Will Zalatoris		59		73	53		4			MC
Viktor Hovland		31		3	10		20	42	13
Sam Burns		1	6	35	MC		MC	6
Justin Thomas			10	60	21		20	4		25
Collin Morikawa		28		13	MC		6	MC		3
Tony Finau		17		19	24		20	14		9
Cameron Young		2		51	10		20	64	2
Matt Fitzpatrick		31	MC	MC	14		MC	29	MC
Jordan Spieth		31	3	19	4		MC	6	63
Tyrrell Hatton	MC	59		2	4		40	6		38
Sung Jae Im		17		6	21	42	56	6		4
Joo Hyung Kim		31		51	34		45	50
Kurt Kitayama		5		MC	1		MC	23	29	MC
Hideki Matsuyama	15	31		5	MC		MC	29		9
Keegan Bradley		28		MC	10		MC	20		2
Shane Lowry		31		35	67	5	14	MC		MC
Billy Horschel		9		MC	MC	42	MC	32
Tom Hoge		59		3	MC		14	MC	48
Joaquin Niemann								5	10
Tommy Fleetwood		52	3	27	61		20	MC		59
Brian Harman		17	MC	44	MC		MC	42
Sahith Theegala		31		74	14		6	39		4
Abraham Ancer									1	MC
Justin Rose			36	6	MC		MC		1	18
Sepp Straka	22	59		65	MC	5	45			MC
Jason Day		5		19	10		9	5		7
Chris Kirk	10	52		MC	39	1		MC
Seamus Power		31		MC	72		14	20	15
Ryan Fox	MC	17		27	14			17	11	20
Russell Henley		17		19	53		MC	MC
Adam Scott		31		71	31		65
Si Woo Kim	39	17		27	39		MC	23		25
Corey Conners	1	17		MC	21		61	50
Kyoung-Hoon Lee		59	19	MC	53		MC	42
Alexander Noren	15	52		MC	61		MC	MC
Thomas Pieters										6
Harris English		31		MC	2	MC	12	MC		MC
Aaron Wise (wd)		31		MC	MC	29		MC
Keith Mitchell		52		35	24		5	42	4
Min Woo Lee		31		6	MC	26				13
Kevin Kisner		31	MC	75	MC		MC	MC	34
JT Poston		9	10	MC		63	MC	MC
Taylor Moore			1	35	39		MC	14	15	11
Talor Gooch									12
Guillermo Pereira								11	6
Mackenzie Hughes		5		MC	61		50	MC
Adam Svensson		52		13	24	49	9	MC		MC
Adrian Meronk		17			MC	14	45		4	MC
Harold Varner									46
Scott Stallings		31		69	MC		MC	23	15	MC
Dustin Johnson
Patrick Reed									25	2
Kazuki Higa	MC					4	11	13	36
Jason Kokrak								13	18
Danny Willett				27	34	29	18		41
Kevin Na									MC
Gary Woodland			45	54	MC		9	42		62
Brooks Koepka								MC	46
Louis Oosthuizen								MC	28
Francesco Molinari	MC			60	14		MC	MC		MC
Bryson DeChambeau									MC
Sergio Garcia								5	28
Cameron Champ	MC		MC				MC	MC	35	53
Charl Schwartzel							13	MC	12
Bubba Watson									MC
Zach Johnson			MC		68	12		32
Phil Mickelson									MC
Harrison Crowe			29					MC
Tiger Woods							45
Sam Bennett
Aldrich Potgieter
Jose Maria Olazabal
Bernhard Langer
Vijay Singh
Mike Weir
Fred Couples
Sandy Lyle
Larry Mize
Ben Carr					MC
Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira
Matthew McClean
GordonSargent

Player	`22	`21	`20	`19	`18	`17	`16	`15	`14	`13
Scottie Scheffler	1	18	19
Rory McIlroy	2	MC	5	21	5	7	10	4	8	25
Jon Rahm	27	5	7	9	4	27
Patrick Cantlay	39	MC	17	9	MC
Cameron Smith	3	10	2	51	5		55
Max Homa	48	MC	MC
Xander Schauffele	MC	3	17	2	50
Will Zalatoris	6	2
Viktor Hovland	27	21		32
Sam Burns	MC
Justin Thomas	8	21	4	12	17	22	39
Collin Morikawa	5	18	44
Tony Finau	35	10	38	5	10
Cameron Young	MC
Matt Fitzpatrick	14	34	46	21	38	32	7		MC
Jordan Spieth	MC	3	46	21	3	11	2	1	2
Tyrrell Hatton	52	18	MC	56	44	MC
Sung Jae Im	8	MC	2
Joo Hyung Kim
Kurt Kitayama
Hideki Matsuyama	14	1	13	32	19	11	7	5	MC
Keegan Bradley				43			52	22	MC	54
Shane Lowry	3	21	25	MC		MC	39	MC
Billy Horschel	43	50	38	56	MC		17	MC	37
Tom Hoge	39
Joaquin Niemann	35	40			MC
Tommy Fleetwood	14	46	19	36	17	MC
Brian Harman	MC	12			44			MC
Sahith Theegala
Abraham Ancer	MC	26	13
Justin Rose	MC	7	23	MC	12	2	10	2	14	25
Sepp Straka	30
Jason Day		MC	MC	5	20	22	10	28	20	3
Chris Kirk							MC	33	20
Seamus Power	27
Ryan Fox
Russell Henley	30				15	11		21	31	MC
Adam Scott	48	54	34	18	32	9	42	38	14	1
Si Woo Kim	39	12	34	21	24	MC
Corey Conners	6	8	10	46				MC
Kyoung-Hoon Lee	MC
Alexander Noren				62	MC	MC
Thomas Pieters	MC				MC	4
Harris English		21					42		MC
Aaron Wise (wd)				17
Keith Mitchell				43
Min Woo Lee	14
Kevin Kisner	44	MC	MC	21	28	43	37
JT Poston			MC
Taylor Moore
Talor Gooch	14
Guillermo Pereira
Mackenzie Hughes	50	40				MC
Adam Svensson
Adrian Meronk
Harold Varner	23
Scott Stallings									MC
Dustin Johnson	12	MC	1	2	10		4	6	MC	13
Patrick Reed	35	8	10	36	1	MC	49	22	MC
Kazuki Higa
Jason Kokrak	14	49	MC
Danny Willett	12	MC	25	MC	MC	MC	1	38
Kevin Na	14	12	13	46		MC	55	12		59
Gary Woodland	MC	40	MC	32	MC	MC		MC	26
Brooks Koepka	MC	MC	7	2		11	21	33
Louis Oosthuizen	Wd	26	23	29	12	41	15	19	25	MC
Francesco Molinari	MC	52	MC	5	20	33			50	MC
Bryson DeChambeau	MC	46	34	29	38		21
Sergio Garcia	23	MC		MC	MC	1	34	17	MC	8
Cameron Champ	10	26	19
Charl Schwartzel	10	26	25	MC	MC	3	MC	38	MC	25
Bubba Watson	39	26	57	12	5	MC	37	38	1	50
Zach Johnson	MC	MC	51	58	36	MC	MC	9	MC	35
Phil Mickelson		21	55	18	36	22	MC	2	MC	54
Harrison Crowe
Tiger Woods	47		38	1	32			17		4
Sam Bennett
Aldrich Potgieter
Jose Maria Olazabal	MC	50	MC	MC	MC	MC		MC	34	50
Bernhard Langer	MC	MC	29	62	38	MC	24	MC	8	25
Vijay Singh	MC	MC	Ret	MC	49	MC	MC	54	37	38
Mike Weir	MC	MC	51	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	44	MC
Fred Couples	MC	MC	MC	MC	38	18		MC	20	13
Sandy Lyle	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	44	54
Larry Mize	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	52	52	MC	51	MC
Ben Carr
Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira
Matthew McClean
GordonSargent