Masters champion Scottie Scheffler has done his research into a "significant" change made to the iconic Augusta course ahead of his defence.
The 26-year-old returned to the scene of his finest career achievement so far as he captured his maiden golf major and slid on the Green Jacket for the first time.
According to Golf Digest, Scheffler made his first visit to Augusta as Masters champion this week. He was accompanied by his coach, his father and a member of the Georgia club as they played two rounds of golf and inspected the changes made to the venue’s 13th hole before next's month event.
The amendments to the iconic par-5 were confirmed earlier this year, when the Masters media guide confirmed the hole’s yardage at 545 yards, 35 yards more than in previous editions. Scheffler enjoyed that hole last year as he hit a 3-wood off the tee and made birdie on Friday and Saturday, and par on Thursday and Sunday. But ahead of the 2023 event, the 13th's tee box has been lengthened, and Scheffler’s first shot from it found its way into Rae’s Creek.
Assessing the new changes, Scheffler has admitted he will now have to make some adjustments. “I usually hit a big, hooking 3-wood off that 13th tee and now I hit driver on a little bit of a different angle,” he told Golf Digest.
“It’s definitely changed the hole significantly, whereas if you hit a really good drive before, you could kind of get around the corner, or I could kind of get around the corner and have maybe a mid-iron in.
“Now you’re kind of hitting into that slope in the fairway and you may be ripping 3-iron at that green. So, you could see more guys laying up to that hole, especially depending upon pin position. We’ll see how it plays during the tournament.”
As the defending champion, Scheffler - following tradition - has to come up with the menu for the annual Masters Champions Dinner. After much anticipation, the American stayed true to his Texan upbringing by opting for a traditional Southern-style banquet.
To start, Scheffler chose appetisers - one of which has a ‘Scottie-Style’ spin on cheeseburger sliders - along with firecracker shrimp with sweet Thai chilli and sriracha mayo. The esteemed guests will then be able to enjoy Tortilla Soup with avocado, crispy blue tortilla strips, sour cream, coriander and lime as the first course.
For the main event, those in attendance will be able to choose from the popular Texas Ribeye Steak or the Blackened Redfish, with enticing sides of 'family-style' mac and cheese, jalapeno creamed corn, fried brussels sprouts and chips.
Scheffler rounded things off with a classic all-American choice of a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie for dessert, served with milk and cookies-flavoured ice cream. The American is one of the favourites to take the Masters title once again following his impressive form this season.
He cemented his status as the world No. 1 by winning his second title of the year at the Players Championship last weekend. By doing so, Scheffler became just the third player to hold the Players and Masters titles at the same time, emulating sporting greats Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
