IT IS that point once more: The Masters – doubtless, essentially the most iconic golf match on the earth.

From the custom of the champion decked out of their well-known inexperienced jacket to the unending drama created by the perfect golfers on the planet, it’s all the time, all the time a merely particular weekend each April.

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However arguably the true star of the present is the Augusta Nationwide golf course.

From Hearth Thorn to Azalea – remember Flowering Crab Apple and the treacherous Amen Nook – each gap is oh so very acquainted.

From the ceremonial starters on Thursday morning, to the ultimate putt on Sunday night, the Masters by no means, ever fails to ship.

It has witnessed among the biggest moments of {golfing} historical past – like Tiger Woods’ unbelievable comeback win in 2019.

And final yr, Scottie Scheffler lived as much as the pre-tournament hype to complete 4 pictures away from main debutant Ludvig Aberg and be a part of an elite checklist of {golfing} greats to have a number of inexperienced jackets.

Scheffler will placed on the historic Masters Champions Dinner within the week of the match – earlier than the true enterprise will get underway.

SunSport takes you thru the 18 holes the celebs should negotiate in the event that they need to observe in his footsteps at Augusta.

Each throws up its personal distinctive challenges and has written their devoted chapters in Masters historical past…

1st – Tea Olive

Performs as one of many hardest holes on the course due to the refined undulations of the inexperienced and magnet-like bunker on the precise of the green.

The primary tee shot can be one of the nerve-wracking pictures of the spherical so hit a nasty one and it might set the tone for the remainder of the day.

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2nd – Pink Dogwood

This gap – lengthened by ten yards from 575 to 585 in 2024 – can throw up all the pieces from an albatross to a bogey and is without doubt one of the most fun on the course.

Gamers must hit a raking draw off the tee and feather the second shot up the slim shoot on the entrance of the inexperienced.

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third – Flowering Peach

If the wind is blowing robust from behind and circumstances are agency underfoot, then the longest hitters will smash a driver up close to the inexperienced.

If they do not, then it’s all about laying as much as a yardage that fits them for a wedge second shot to a gap the place they’ll search for birdie.

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4th – Flowering Crab Apple

The inexperienced is a large goal however gamers will probably be getting into with a protracted iron and must hit the proper a part of the placing floor to go away themselves a have a look at birdie and par.

Hazard lurks throughout however it’s higher to overlook it within the bunkers quick as a result of then gamers will probably be hitting right into a inexperienced that slopes in the direction of them.

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fifth – Magnolia

This gap is lengthy, uphill and a dogleg to the left that forces gamers to hug the left aspect of the sloping fairway – whereas avoiding the bunkers, which require a carry of 315 yards to overlook.

A demanding par 4, it has been lengthened by 40 yards and was impressed by the legendary Highway Gap at St Andrews.

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sixth – Juniper

Gamers will use a mid iron to hit down the slope to this undulating inexperienced, which may throw up quite a few pin positions.

There was a stream in entrance of the inexperienced however that was taken out and now there stays a solitary bunker to gobble up a mishit shot.

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seventh – Pampas

Drives want to seek out the green right here so gamers have final management over spin for his or her second pictures.

5 traps guard the inexperienced however, as a result of professionals will probably be getting into with a brief or mid iron, birdie is a good shout on this gap.

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eighth – Yellow Jasmine

An uphill gap the place the bunker on the precise aspect of the green have to be prevented if rivals need to attain the inexperienced in two.

The second shot will have to be a draw performed across the timber to a protracted skinny inexperienced which throws up the prospect of an eagle.

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ninth – Carolina Cherry

A drive down the precise aspect of the green provides the perfect angle into this inexperienced which slopes severely from again to entrance.

Gamers might want to watch the quantity of spin on their second pictures as a result of even one which lands safely on the inexperienced might find yourself rolling again down the green.

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tenth – Camellia

This monster par 4 performs lower than its yardage due to how steeply downhill it’s.

Once more a draw must be performed off the tee with something from a driver to a protracted iron however the issue does not finish there, with a sloping inexperienced another excuse why this gap sometimes performs because the hardest on the course.

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eleventh – White Dogwood

Kneel down and say a bit prayer, as a result of that is the beginning of Amen Nook.

The tee shot is downhill and must be hit from left to proper.

The second shot should keep away from the pond quick left of the inexperienced.

Banks on the precise can be utilized as a bailout. Par is a superb rating on the course’s hardest gap.

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twelfth – Golden Bell

One of many world’s most well-known holes. To cite Arnold Palmer’s wider saying on golf typically, the twelfth at Augusta is deceptively easy but endlessly sophisticated.

The swirling winds make membership choice completely pivotal and Rae’s Creek sits in need of the bunker and inexperienced.

The financial institution will funnel any balls hit quick again into the water.

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thirteenth – Azalea

This gap was lengthened by 35 yards again in 2023.

One other good danger/reward gap, this one arguably greater than every other has been answerable for figuring out who finally ends up with the inexperienced jacket.

It has seen all the pieces from Phil Mickelson’s astonishing shot from behind the timber to Woods placing into the water.

The inexperienced is guarded by a tributary to Rae’s Creek and 4 bunkers – to not point out an enormous flowerbed – behind.

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14th – Chinese language Fir

Fully devoid of bunkers, this gap’s defence is its nerve-racking inexperienced which can take a look at even the steadiest of hearts and arms.

The placing floor slopes considerably from left to proper and each putt on it must be handled with the utmost respect.

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fifteenth – Firethorn

This gap is all concerning the second shot.

Gamers want to hold the water quick, keep away from the bunker on the precise and never go lengthy over the again, the place extra water awaits.

Like all of Augusta’s par fives, eagle right here is simply as probably as a bogey and it throws up many heart-in-your-mouth moments coming so late within the spherical.

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sixteenth – Redbud

Should you put your cash on there being a gap in a single within the Masters, then likelihood is it can come right here.

Rivals will go in with a brief to mid iron to a inexperienced – redone after Hurricane Helene’s 130mph winds wreaked havoc in September 2024 – that slopes closely from proper to left.

The pin is usually positioned the place balls naturally collect – however do not go too far left into the water.

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seventeenth – Nandina

The tee shot and second shot ought to present the professionals with few troubles – nevertheless it’s a distinct story after they get to the inexperienced.

It slopes off in all instructions and, ought to a participant miss it, then there isn’t any such factor as a simple up and down for par.

This was the location of CBS commentator Gary McCord’s “bikini wax” remark in 1994 that has seen him banned from Augusta for 3 a long time.

It was additionally the place three 100ft timber fell down abruptly throughout robust winds whereas play was occurring in 2023 – fortunately no person was damage within the stunning scenes.

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18th – Holly

One in all golf’s most iconic tee pictures, gamers will rip a driver or 3-wood via a slim shoot of timber whereas hoping to keep away from the sand on the left.

The inexperienced is break up into two distinct tiers and is protected by a bunker quick and one other on the precise, which can see numerous motion over the week.

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