Patrick Cantlay gives his verdict on the condition of Augusta National days before The Masters starts

Patrick Cantlay says Augusta National is in the ‘best shape’ in recent years

Cantlay has no concerns for the state of the golf course in the week leading up to The Masters. After playing the course on Tuesday, he said it’s in the best condition he’s seen in a while. 

The American said, “Yeah, I think the course is in the best shape I can remember it in recent years. Looks like we’re going to get good weather this week so expect it to be really firm and fast.

“My game feels like it’s coming around and trending in the right direction so looking forward to the week.”

The conditions will present a particular challenge in the ever-difficult Amen Corner, where danger lurks at the best of times. Cantlay broke down how he plans to play those holes:

“Yeah, definitely treat them all individually. I think a lot of it depends on hole location and also wind direction.

“I think you can get 12 if it’s really quiet and it can feel like a good birdie opportunity. Then you can get it on Sunday if it’s a little windy and you’re just looking to make a par.

“So I think it changes day to day based on weather and hole location maybe more than other parts of the golf course.”

That’s the benefit experience can give you when playing this tournament. This will be Cantlay’s 10th Masters, so he has bags of that in his locker.

Patrick Cantlay named the biggest change he’s seen made to Augusta National this year

Cantlay said the biggest change that’s been made to Augusta is on the par-five 13th, where he’s had to completely change his strategy after the tee box was moved back.

He explained, “The biggest change is just that 13 is so much longer now. Felt like you could get there in two in a lot of different weather conditions and now unless you have no wind or a little downwind, it’s hard to get there in two just because I can’t get it out far enough to get back around the corner.

“The trees, even on the left, are kind of in the way. Other than that, I would say my strategy for those holes is relatively the same.”

It’s a hole that gave Rory McIlroy serious problems during his win last year as he double bogeyed it down the stretch on Sunday. It’s a true par five test now, that gives players a risk/reward option.