Player fury as Masters’ lengthy row rages on

THE controversy rages whether Augusta National’s powers-that-be have handed too much of an advantage to the game’s biggest hitters. That they have literally gone too far this time.

Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have already gone on record as saying they think the stretching of six holes was not the wisest move ever taken at this Mecca of golf, with Nicklaus even stating: “They have ruined it from a tournament standpoint.”

The two legends are not competitors this week, but last year’s Players’ Championship winner Fred Funk is and, as one of the shortest hitters, comments: “I am frustrated with where the game is going. They are eliminating the majority of the field.”

Even mild-mannered Luke Donald, third on his debut last year and a believer his accuracy can overcome the odds against a non-bomber winning, has aired his view on the matter.

Donald believes it is close to the point where “it’s getting a little silly”. That with the greens the speed they are, it is asking a lot to handle a course that, at 7,445 yards, is the second longest ever used for a major.

Tiger Woods openly states he saw no need to lengthen the par-three fourth - his playing partner Mark O’Meara hit driver there into the wind on Monday and Woods used a five-wood - and that the seventh no longer has the same “risk-reward” element.

The 11th, now a par four of over 500 yards, is likely to claim most victims. It was ranked the hardest hole last year and now is far tougher, with not only the tee back, but trees added on the right and the fairway moved to make more of a dogleg.

Woods, of course, is involved in a second issue. The very sad one.

Ever since he skipped Players’ Championship practice there has been speculation he may miss this week because of his father’s cancer battle.

And even if he does play, how much it might affect his chances of winning again.

The health of Earl Woods remains a day-by-day concern, but the world number one is proud of how the 74-year-old he calls his best friend is fighting and aims to bring the same determination to his own bid for another green jacket.

“He’s a tremendous fighter with an unbelievable will,” said Woods. “Hopefully he’s passed a little bit of that on. That’s kind of how I play, my competitiveness on the course.”