Phil Mickelson Criticizes Augusta National's Lengthened Par 5s at Masters Phil Mickelson, who skipped the 2026 Masters due to a "personal health matter," took to social media to voice his concerns about the lengthened 13th and 15th holes at Augusta National. In a tweet, he lamented the reduced excitement and intrigue on the back nine, arguing that the changes have dulled two of golf’s most iconic par 5s. His comments sparked a broader debate about the impact of course modifications on the game’s most prestigious tournament. Mickelson’s critique centered on the difficulty of reaching the greens in two shots on holes 13 and 15, which he claimed have made the holes less thrilling for fans. He noted that few players are long enough to attempt the second shot, a claim that drew scrutiny. When a colleague pointed out that six players had successfully holed putts for eagle on the 13th hole in round two, Mickelson responded, "6 of 90. Like I said 'so few.'" This exchange highlighted the tension between his perception and the statistical reality of the holes. The data revealed that Mickelson’s assertion was misleading. On the 15th hole, 63% of players attempted to reach the green with their second shot on Thursday, 48% on Friday, and 72% on Saturday. Even players with shorter driving distances, like Brian Harman, opted to go for the green after a strong opening drive. These figures underscore that the holes remain challenging, but the lengthened design has not eliminated the risk of attempting a long second shot. On the 13th hole, Mickelson’s claim was slightly more accurate. In the first round, 33% of players attempted to reach the green, rising to 42% in the second round and 43% in the third.#masters_tournament #augusta_national #bobby_jones #phil_mickelson #13th_hole
