It wasn't enough to fend off today's long hitters, who have benefited from improvements in conditioning and equipment. Augusta National, which refuses to turn its rough into a US Open-style quagmire, must rely on length and slick, tricky greens to keep scores from going absurdly low.
Club chairman Hootie Johnson insisted no one has been scoreboard-watching at Augusta.
''Since the first Masters in 1934, this golf course has evolved and that process continues today," Johnson said in a statement. ''As in the past, our objective is to maintain the integrity and shot values of the golf course as envisioned by Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie."
The club is altering three holes -- Nos. 1, 4, and 7 -- on the front side and three -- 11, 15 and 17 -- on the back.
The tee at the par-3 fourth will move back 30-35 yards, lengthening the hole to about 240 yards. The club was mindful of the late Jones's assessment in 1959, when he said the hole should require a long iron or even a wood. This year, most competitors teed off with a 5- or 6-iron.
''We want to keep the hole as it was intended to be played as a long par 3," Johnson said.
Then there's No. 11, which leads into ''Amen Corner" and will become the first par 4 in Masters history that stretches beyond 500 yards. With the tee shifted back 10-15 yards, the hole will measure about 505.
