Augusta course lengthened for Masters

NEXT year’s US Masters will be contested on the sixth longest course in major championship history after tournament organisers announced last night Augusta’s par-four fifth hole had been lengthened.

Par-72 Augusta National measured 7,270 yards when Tiger Woods clinched his third US Masters title in April this year, but the course has now been extended to 7,290 yards for the 2003 edition.

The tee at the par-four Magnolia hole has been moved back and the fairway bunkers have been extended some 80 yards towards the green, stretching the hole from 435 to 455 yards,