PHILIP REIDon the changes that have resulted in the Augusta course playing shorter for the first time in 28 years

THE SURGEON’S scalpel has, yet again, been applied to Augusta National for this year’s 73rd edition of the Masters tournament. Except, unlike the nip-’n-tuck surgery of the past decade which year on year added length to this most manicured of all courses, the changes this time round have resulted in a marginally shorter test.

Not that it seemed that way for the past two days of practice, as a cold westerly wind – playing into the faces of players off the first tee – left nobody in any doubt that this week’s examination will be as tough as ever.

Still, the alterations are significant for one reason: for the first time in 28 years, the course will play slightly shorter.

Officially, the only scorecard change has come on the first hole which, at 445 yards, is 10 yards shorter than it was a year ago. This change was made to help spectators move more freely around the area of the first tee and the 18th and ninth greens. The change reduces the course’s length to 7,435 yards and is the first time the course has been shortened since 1981 when it played at 6,905 yards.

Although the par-four first hole will play shorter throughout the tournament, other changes include extending the seventh and 15th tees – 10 yards on the seventh, nine yards on the 15th – which will give tournament officials the opportunity move the tee forward if required by weather conditions. The only other changes made since last year were the reconstruction of three greens (the first, fifth and sixth) for agronomic reasons, but which now offer several new flag placements.

The result of the slight alterations is significant in that it gives the officials options to reduce the length of the course, options which were not possible in 2007 when poor weather led to the winning score of one-over-par 289 or last year when the wind-affected final round produced an average score of 74.66 and the winner Trevor Immelman finished with a 75.

The first hole may be 10 yards shorter than a year ago, but the wind of the past few days has failed to ease the hardship on players, at least in the practice rounds. As former champion Ben Crenshaw remarked, “I know they’ve shortened it a little bit, but I can’t tell. They’ve still got it back so far you can get caught with a headwind.”

The opening hole has seen the most dramatic changes of recent years. From the inaugural Masters in 1934 through 1998, the hole played to a length of 400 yards. It played at 410 yards from 1999 to 2001 but, in 2002, the hole was further lengthened to 435 yards. A further 20 yards were added in 2006.

So, what does cutting 10 yards off mean this time? “Wow, now you can hit to the bunker instead of short of the bunker,” said Ernie Els with a hint of sarcasm, although Mike Weir observed it “could make a big difference,” adding: “It depends on the wind. That 10 yards might mean an extra 15 yards on the tee shot. Instead of hitting it into the hill and killing the ball, you might land a little higher and scoot up there a bit.”

Tim Clark, another relatively short hitter, concurred with Weir’s observation.

“Does 10 yards matter? It will a little bit to me. We couldn’t fly to the top of the hill anymore. It was hitting the hill and stopping and I was hitting three-irons and five-woods (to the green). When I first played here eight or nine years ago, I was at least hitting seven-irons,” said Clark.

But, then, given the cool weather and swirling winds of the past couple of days, any little bit helps. even if it is only 10 yards on one hole.