Player: Augusta criticism unjust

Gary Player said on the eve of his 49th Masters – one short of Arnold Palmer’s record – he had been “brainwashed” over the changed lay-out of Augusta National.

Like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, Player had criticised the lengthening of the course in the build-up to this week’s tournament.

But that was before he had played with the new dimensions, which includes six new tees and a total of 155 yards added since last year.

“I was brainwashed about how abnormal it was,” said the 70-year-old South African, who will be the oldest competitor this year and aims to play twice more so that he holds the record for most appearances at both the Masters and Open.

“It’s not abnormal. There have been a lot of criticisms, but I think unjustly so now I’ve played it.

“The guys are basically having to hit the same second shots that Jack Nicklaus had to hit (in his prime). With the exception of the fourth it’s identical to how it was 30 years ago in terms of what clubs Nicklaus hit then.”

Player commented a month ago: “Tiger Woods said the other day that only six or seven people can win at Augusta. That to me is sad.

“I don’t think the public wants to see a tournament where so few have got a chance at winning – you are now detracting from the tournament. I never thought I’d live to see a tournament limited to six to 10 guys.”

That may still prove to be the case with the big hitters having such an advantage, of course.

But, if it is, Player hopes it will prompt the powers that be to introduce a ball that will not fly so far, so that the millions currently being spent on stretching courses can be redirected into junior golf and other areas.

“It has to happen at professional level because we’re going see guys come along who can hit it 40 yards past Tiger. You can’t put tees in the street,” Player added.

If any of the shorter hitters were looking for an apology from Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson – or even better for them a promise that there will be no more lengthening – it did not come today.

Johnson, asked about the comments of Nicklaus, Palmer and others, said: “We are comfortable with what we are doing with the golf course. They are entitled to their opinion.”

On whether he was close to saying the course was long enough now, he added: “I don’t think we’re ready to say that. We’ll have to continue to evaluate.”