Players light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. It’s a spiritual setting that warms the heart and the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.
The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition.
Ahead of this year’s 85th Masters Tournament, Golfweek surveyed 25 golfers, including 12 winners of the green jacket and 15 major champions in all, asking questions ranging from the food to the golf course to the experience.
Today’s questions:
Did you see something you’ve never seen before in the 2020 Masters because there were no patrons?
“When I walked out of the clubhouse near the big tree, I saw the Sarazen Bridge to the left on the 15th green. I never saw that during the Masters. There are so many people between the clubhouse and the 15th green every year except last year.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“We didn’t see Azaleas, so that was different.” – 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir
“The lack of grandstands was very different.” – 1987 Masters champion Larry Mize
“No stands. That’s what I saw. So you saw a very different course. Looking down like 15, that sort of was daunting. Stands at the back of the 8th. You saw a more open course, space wise.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle
“I saw Dustin Johnson cry. I had never seen that before. I never thought I’d see that, to be honest. But a pretty good reason to shed a tear.” – Marc Leishman
“Dustin Johnson winning. I never saw him win there before. More seriously, seeing no fans was something else. The golf course was definitely slower than I had ever seen before.” – 2012 and 2014 Masters champion Bubba Watson
“When it got dark last year and they blew the horn, they got us in a golf cart and you drive on the outside of the golf course. And I’ve never seen so many cottages and it’s a massive property. It was amazing.” – Kevin Na
“There were a few things. The first time ever, walking off the tee box on the eighth hole, we had to stop because the guys on the second green were putting. And standing on the eighth tee box, I didn’t expect to see the 17th green so close. So we had to wait for the guys to putt out on 17 and on 2. That was completely different.” – 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen
“A lot of things. Obviously, not seeing fans was different. It’s like night and day with fans and no fans. I never saw shots hold in places on the greens that would never have held in the past because the greens were so soft. You could fly it to back pins, which is so rare.” – Tony Finau
“When we got called off because of darkness, we got into golf carts and went around the outside of the golf course. There were more buildings than I ever knew existed, especially on the back side of the property. And the road system was something. You were glad to take that golf cart ride.” – Matt Kuchar
What is your favorite food at Augusta National?
“It’s all so good. I just don’t know why everything is better. The water tastes better, the chocolate tastes better. I don’t know what’s going on. It has to be an emotional thing because it’s all so good.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“Love their burgers. Awesome.” – 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir
“The peach cobbler and clam chowder, as a player. They are so, so good. As a media guy, it’s the Krispy Kreme donuts.” – 1993 PGA champion Paul Azinger
“I normally grab a Pimento Cheese sandwich as soon as I can.” – Marc Leishman
“I eat the same thing every day. When I sit down they know what they are going to get me. In the morning, if I get there for breakfast, it’s scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, two sausage patties and two biscuits. And then in the afternoon, I get the Taste of the Masters – two barbeque sandwiches and one Pimento and Cheese. It is all so good.” – 2012 and 2014 Masters champion Bubba Watson
“I’m not a huge fan of pimento cheese, but I will always make sure to get a Pimento Cheese sandwich every year.” – Kevin Na
“Ooh. The peach ice cream sandwich. It’s insane. And all the sandwiches. I was eating at least two sandwiches a day last year.” – Abraham Ancer
“I go to the caddie hut and have the fish sandwich. I really enjoy that sandwich. It’s so good.” – 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen
“They have an unbelievable turkey sandwich – turkey, bacon, lettuce and mayo. And the bread was toasted perfectly. That was so, so, so good.” – Matthew Wolff
“The burgers in the caddie room are pretty spot on. I think I had about eight or nine of them last week. I had never heard of them but I walked into the caddie room and asked, ‘What’s that smell?’ And I kept going back.” – Cameron Champ
“The Masters Club sandwich. It’s unbelievable. It’s like grandma’s club sandwiches.” – Cameron Smith
“I love food, but it’s not like I can’t wait to have the fried chicken in the caddie hut, which is awesome. I’m not rushing to eat anything there although it’s all great.” – Billy Horschel
“The peach ice cream sandwich. It’s unreal. It’s the best ice cream sandwich I’ve ever had. I’m not really fruit guy when it comes to eating sweets; I’m more of a chocolate guy. But that is the first thing I go for.” – Tony Finau