'It's not good for the Masters': Augusta ready to go the distance against big hitters

'I think we are at a crossroads as relates to this issue,' Fred Ridley, a former USGA president

Bryson DeChambeau walks with his caddie on the 15th hole during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament yesterday. Picture: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

No live shots have been fired yet at Augusta National this week, but Masters chairman Fred Ridley lobbed a few warning volleys across the bow of the increasing distance debate that has arrived in full force at his doorstep.

While saying there would be no in-season changes made to the golf course between this week and the 2021 Masters only five months away in April, Ridley intimated that Augusta is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the course against the massive distance threats posed by Bryson DeChambeau and a growing number of big hitters in golf.