Masters: Buckle up, this Augusta will demand respect

There have been whispers for weeks from a few players who made casual scouting trips to Augusta. This was not going to be the golf course they left in November. And most of the Augusta veterans are thrilled.

Spectators arrive at Augusta National Golf Course for a practice round for the Masters golf tournament on Wednesday. Picture: David J Phillip

There have been whispers for weeks from a few players who made casual scouting trips to Augusta. This was not going to be the golf course they left in November which Dustin Johnson torched to the record tune of 20-under par.

It won’t even be the golf course players have enjoyed in relative comfort for the last decade. Augusta National hasn’t bared its teeth since 2007-08 when everyone was howling that the roars had been silenced and the course was too hard.