WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2018
The USGA announced a few weeks ago that the playoff for the US Open would now be a two-hole aggregate affair (not that such an idea would have mattered during the wild and wonderful 15-hour affair that settled the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration this week!). But the whole thing got us to thinking about a two-hole possibility at Augusta National, which is the only annual venue for majors among the men. It’s a course all golf fans know well, so what two holes could produce amazing drama, assuming Masters officials were willing to start anywhere on the golf course?
– The twelfth. The swirling winds of the par-3 twelfth hole have produced tragedy and triumph. It was here that Phil Mickelson catapulted himself to a third green jacket in 2010 and Jordan Spieth splashed and burned in his title defense of 2016. Put two (or more) deadlocked competitors on this tee with only two holes to play for victory, and you might see darts or disaster. But wait—because even a ball in the creek doesn’t end this fight. Not with the next hole lined up.
– The thirteenth. Yes, the short yardage of this par-5 (above) has allowed two-time champ Bubba Watson and other bombers to hit driver wedge here, but not without taking on the curvaceous tributary to Rae’s Creek that flanks the hole’s left side then cuts its angular way across the front of the green. Every score from two to seven can come into play here.
With two holes providing such volatile possibilities, we can think of only one juicier proposition: After lots are drawn, let the players choose the two holes. Anywhere on the course. With the second one chosen only after the first is played. Three principals? No trouble. Let’s play three!