AUGUSTA, Ga. — Billy Payne, the chairman of both Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, didn’t discount a report that the club is nearing an agreement to purchase neighboring land in an effort to lengthen the par-5 13th hole.
But he didn’t confirm it, either.
“As we do every year, and historically forever, we are always looking at options for numerous holes,’’ Payne said Wednesday during his annual Masters news conference. “We create plans looking into the future, when we believe that the shot value of certain second shots, principally, has been impacted by how far the ball is now traveling.
“As a consequence, 13 is one of those holes we are studying. We have made no decision whatsoever. Plans are underway to be considered, and as I said, that is one of many holes that we now have under consideration.’’
The par-5 13th measures 510 yards, and its tee box is near a border fence that separates Augusta National from Augusta Country Club. Golfweek magazine reported in February the clubs were closing in on a $27 million real estate deal that would give Augusta National room to expand the hole.
Player reaction has been mixed. Statistically, the hole has played as the second-easiest hole in tournament history, a dogleg left that is easily reachable in two shots for most of the field and yielded 20 eagles last year. A creek runs along the left side of the hole, then crosses in front of the green.
“If it’s a longer hole, I’m just going to hit less of a slice,’’ said Phil Mickelson, who plays lefthanded. “Right now, I have to take something off the driver or else it goes through the fairway. It won’t affect my second shot because I’ll be arguably in the same spot either way.’’
Jack Nicklaus, who won a record six Masters, outlined four options if the club wanted to change the hole: Make it a par-4 (“which they are not going to do’’), buy the Augusta Country Club land, move the green back 30 yards, or reroute the stream and add trees.
“From a traditionalist standpoint, the best way is probably to lengthen the hole, then don’t change anything else,’’ said Nicklaus. “They have done that once, bought some land from Augusta Country Club and did that. I tell you, the simplest solution is change the golf ball.’’
Get it together
Golf is a numbers game, and Rickie Fowler thinks he has found the formula that can result in him slipping on the green jacket Sunday evening and finally becoming a major champion.
“I feel like the perfect storm, combine 2014 and 2015 together, equals winning a major, that’s the way I look at it,’’ Fowler said.
Let’s break that down. Fowler had a major season for the ages two years ago, despite not winning one. He tied for fifth at the Masters, tied for second at the US Open, tied for second at the British Open, and tied for third at the PGA Championship. They were the four best weeks of his year, because he failed to win on the PGA Tour all year.
Fowler took a step back in the majors in 2015: 12th at Augusta, missed cut at the US Open, T30 at both the British and PGA. But he won three times, twice on the PGA Tour: at the Players Championship, then at the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston. He added a win at the Scottish Open on the European Tour, and has already won a European Tour event this year.
“Contending in majors and being up there in 2014 helped me have the confidence that I did when I was in contention and had the chances last year,’’ Fowler said. “Without having those final days in the majors, I wouldn’t have had the success I did last year. It’s kind of been a little bit of a process, but definitely more confidence has come from winning.’’
Winners circle
The winner here will grab the first men’s major championship of the season, but not the year’s first major. That honor belongs to Lydia Ko, who won the LPGA Tour’s ANA Inspiration last week by one shot, making a birdie on the 72d hole. The 18-year-old was taking in Wednesday’s practice round at Augusta, shaking hands with players and watching them warm up on the tournament range. Ko was in town to receive the 2015 LPGA Tour Player of the Year award from the Golf Writers Association of America. Other awards went to Jordan Spieth (PGA Tour Player of the Year), Jeff Maggert (Champions Tour Player of the Year), J.B. Holmes (overcoming physical challenges), Davis Love (cooperation with the media), and Dottie Pepper (outstanding contributions to golf).
Walker is aces
Jimmy Walker was the star at a record-setting Par-3 Contest, shooting an 8-under-par 19 and making one of nine holes-in-one, shattering the previous mark of five. Walker made an ace and six birdies, a shot lower than the previous record of 20. Gary Player became the oldest player, at 80, to make a hole-in-one during the contest, and two players in the same group — Fowler and Justin Thomas — made consecutive aces on the fourth hole. No winner of the Par-3 Contest has gone on to win the Masters in the same week . . .Overnight rain was in the forecast. There was a 30 percent chance of rain through 8 a.m. Thursday, the only rain forecast during the four tournament days. Highs are expected to be in the low 70s Thursday and Friday, then in the mid-60s for the weekend.
Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeWhitmer.
