Hole 1 – Tea Olive
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PAR 4 – 455 YARDS
The bunker on the right of the fairway has been extended over the years and it’s now 320 yards to get over. The big hitters used to fly it for fun and hit a sand wedge in, but now you’re landing on the upslope with little run, because they cut the grass towards the tee. It can be a 6 or 7-iron or perhaps more into the wind.
The 1st hole at Augusta is a great example of the strategy that’s needed all the way round. Sometimes you don’t want to be aiming at the hole. This is where your discipline has to be spot on because it’s very easy to get caught out. Your Langers, your Faldos, your Ballesteroses, they knew when to attack and when to defend.
There are sucker pins everywhere and sometimes the centre of the green is the only percentage play. The 1st hole has a number of very tricky pins. There’s one at the back left where if you’re too aggressive you can roll down a slope and are then facing at least a bogey. Centre of the green with an uphill putt is all you need. You need to build momentum, attack flags at the right time and build a score.
It’s easy to get cute, suffer the penalty and then get on a negative roll. This is why patience is crucial.
The Quiros way: This hole is always a driver aimed at the left edge of the right-hand fairway bunker. Carrying it really isn’t a problem and it gives me a huge advantage over most players because the fairway is so much wider for me. I’d be aiming a 9-iron or wedge at the flag. Targetscore: 4
The Wilson way: Yes, it’s always going to be a driver here. The conservative line is down the left. Even if you’re in the left trees you can still get it near the front with your second. A decent drive will see me hitting in with a 7 or 8-iron. As the green is severe, I’ll be looking to find the middle. Targetscore: 4
