Johnson: nothing wrong with Augusta alterations

WHEN people like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer speak up and lambaste the way the Augusta National golf course has been altered and stretched until it is now a 7,445 yards monster, you have to sit up and take note.

Palmer and Nicklaus have ten Masters green jackets between them and so are entitled to put forward their views. Hootie Johnson, the chairman of the Augusta National club, faced his inquisitors yesterday and refused to bow to Palmer or Nicklaus or any of the leading players of the modern era who have also been uncomplimentary about the changes. A few cracks were apparent, like when he snapped at a reporter who suggested they may have taken the fun out of the tournament.

“I didn’t know a golf course was supposed to be a lot of fun,” he growled. When it was put to him that Nicklaus, Palmer, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods et al might be right and he was wrong, Johnson simply replied: “We are comfortable with what we are doing with the golf course for the Masters tournament. They are entitled to their opinion.”