No fans at Augusta is one thing, but Adam Scott is wary of a wet Masters week
The sun was out as Adam Scott got his first look at Augusta in November, but storms and a big wet are likely to make Masters week tough.
Golf
Don't miss out on the headlines from Golf. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thunderstorms and showers are set to make Masters week a wet one, and 2013 champion Adam Scott knows a muddy Augusta will require the best of his major efforts.
The Aussie got his first look at the course in its new November timeslot on Monday, and while the sun was out for his late afternoon round, it’s not going to be around for long.
Scott made his famous playoff putt on the 10th green in near-darkness and drizzle in 2013, with the image of Augusta’s green and white umbrellas surrounding him very firm in his memories.
But with just one tournament preparation under his belt after a COVID-19 positive forced him into isolation, Scott conceded he wasn’t as sharp as he would have been with a normal Masters preparation.
Scott said he felt “terrible” for 2017 champion Sergio Garcia, who had to withdraw after also testing positive to coronavirus.
But on an Augusta layout he knows demands “precision”, predictions of thunderstorms for the opening round and rain all the way until Sunday will ensure Scott is well and truly dialled in.
“I’ve played some Masters when it has been quite cool and damp” Scott said after arriving at Augusta.
“Really, the biggest problem for us as players if it’s wet around a golf course that requires precision like this one does, especially hitting into the greens, if there’s mud on the ball, this is very, very difficult because you lose control of the ball flight.
“When you have very small targets at times to hit into and you don’t know where the ball may go, that’s very hard.
“Everyone’s got to deal with it, but you get a mud ball at the wrong time at a course like this with extreme penalties, it can be very costly.
“That’s the hardest thing we are going to have to deal with if it rains a lot this week.”
An exemplary fall day at Augusta National Golf Club. #themasters pic.twitter.com/iY6Vly64wr
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 9, 2020
The Masters will be played without spectators for the first time, another element Scott said players would have to contend with.
Scott said his memories of that 2013 win were amplified by the impact of the crowd, which around the ampitheatre of Augusta can be so significant.
“It’s the atmosphere they create which makes the experience,” he said.
“Firstly, teeing off, the first tee at Augusta is the most nervous I feel of any point during the year. Walking to that first tee Thursday the nerves are at an all-time high, and that’s because the eyeballs are on you, and it’s the build-up that’s been created.
“It was a unique atmposhere for me to be in (in 2013). I remember walking all the way down the 10th hole, it was so loud it was hard to talk to my caddie on a normal volume.
“That whole experience I remember very well, then holing the putt to win, I remember almost everything about that.
“The missing galleries is going to be the biggest difference. I’ve played two major champsionsips since we have come back from this COVID break, and it couldn’t be more different playing without the spectators.
“It helps with the drama on the weekend. I think it’s most noticeable when you go to the major on a Saturday and the atmosphere isn’t there.
“We will be missing on element, but there’s a huge element to the exerperience of playing the Masters.”
Originally published as No fans at Augusta is one thing, but Adam Scott is wary of a wet Masters week