Augusta National to be record length for The Masters

Distance will be a talking point at The Masters this April, with Augusta National set to play to a record length in the tournament’s history after two holes were extended.

The Masters media guide, released on Wednesday, showed that the course now officially measures 7,510 yards - an increase of 35 yards from the 2021 contest - after significant changes were made to the Augusta layout.

The iconic par-five 15th, historically the tournament's second-easiest hole and home to many memorable Masters moments, has been lengthened by 20 yards and will now officially measure 550 yards.

Also extended is the difficult par-four 11th, already the second-hardest hole last year after averaging 4.40 strokes, with tees moved to the left and several pines right of the fairway removed.

A 15-yard increase means the 11th will play to a maximum of 520 yards and is longer than the 510-yard par-five 13th, which could be lengthened in future after Augusta National purchased land from the adjacent Augusta Country Club in 2017.

The tees at the final hole have also been extended back by 13 yards, though the official length at the uphill closing hole will remain 465 yards, with the course alterations the first significant changes since the fifth hole was lengthened by 40 yards in 2019.

The 86th Masters will be held from April 7-10, live on Sky Sports' dedicated Masters channel, with Hideki Matsuyama set to defend his title after becoming Japan's first male major champion in last year's contest.

Players not currently with an invite to the opening men's major of the year can still secure qualification over the next few weeks, although they will need to either win a PGA Tour event by April 5 or be inside the world's top 50 the week before The Masters.