Pro Slams Masters Group’s ‘Just Brutal’ Slow Play at Augusta National

Pro golfer Tyrrell Hatton expressed frustration with the slow pace of play in the group ahead of him at the 2024 Masters held at Augusta National. Hatton, known for his mental approach to the game, found it difficult to maintain a rhythm due to the extended delays caused by the slow group.

The Unfair Test: Hatton’s Previous Criticism of Augusta National

Two years ago, Tyrrell Hatton made headlines when he called Augusta National “unfair at times.” The iconic venue, which hosts the prestigious Masters tournament, rarely receives negative criticism from professional golfers.

In 2022, Hatton voiced his dissatisfaction after his final round, stating, “You can hit good shots here and not get any reward for it. It’s unfair at times. If you hit a good shot, you should end up near the hole — not short-sided into a bunker because of the slopes that they’ve created and stuff. Yeah, I don’t think it’s a fair test at times, and when you hit good shots and you’re not rewarded for it, it shows.”

Softening Stance on Unfairness and Windy Conditions

However, Hatton has since softened his stance on Augusta National’s fairness, especially considering the challenging windy conditions that players have faced in the first two rounds. Rounds have been significantly longer due to the adverse weather conditions, with some lasting about six hours on Friday.

Frustration with Slow Pace of Play

Despite his change in perspective, Hatton expressed frustration with the pace of play from the group ahead of him during the past two days. He believes that they were not keeping up with the expected speed of play.

Following his second round, where he shot a two-over 74, Hatton was asked about a long delay his group experienced while waiting to hit into the par-4 14th green. “The lads in front have been so slow,” he stated. Hatton further criticized the officials for taking 32 holes to finally put the group ahead on the clock, noting that their slow play had hindered his group’s ability to establish a rhythm.

Difficulty in Maintaining Rhythm

Hatton played alongside Keegan Bradley and Matthieu Pavon, with the group ahead consisting of Patrick Reed, Sungjae Im, and Kurt Kitayama. Augusta National does not publicly announce when groups are put on the clock, and Reed, the sole member of the leading threesome to speak with the media, did not address the pace of play in their group.

Hatton emphasized the challenge his group faced in maintaining rhythm, stating, “We stood on the 8th waiting to hit our second shots in, and they’re still putting out, and the lads in front of them have teed off 10. It’s a small field. It’s not hard to really keep up with the group in front. I understand if you’ve had a tough hole, but when it’s just like every hole, then it’s a bit more frustrating.”

Hatton’s Eighth Masters Appearance and Cut-Making Streak

This year marked Hatton’s eighth Masters appearance, and he will make the cut for the sixth time. His best finish at Augusta National was a T18 in 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Is Augusta National known for receiving negative criticism from professional golfers?

Augusta National generally receives positive reviews from professional golfers, but there have been instances where players expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the course setup.

Why did Tyrrell Hatton criticize Augusta National in his previous statement?

Hatton believes that good shots should be rewarded appropriately, but he felt that Augusta National’s design features, such as slopes and bunkers, often penalize even well-executed shots.

How did the slow pace of play affect Hatton’s performance at the Masters?

Waiting for an extended period affected Hatton’s ability to establish and maintain a rhythm, ultimately leading to frustration and potentially impacting his performance.

How many Masters cuts has Tyrrell Hatton made?

As of 2024, Hatton has made the cut at the Masters six times during his eight appearances.

What is Tyrrell Hatton’s best finish at Augusta National?

Hatton’s best finish at Augusta National was a tie for 18th place in 2021.