Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal has confessed he is finding it increasingly difficult to reach some of Augusta National's par-four greens in two strokes. As with most tournaments, the iconic course routinely makes adjustments in a bid to keep up with modern-day golf professionals who hit the ball further than ever before. These alterations typically involve extending the length of holes.

In the past five years alone, the tees on the second hole were moved back 10 yards, the tees on the 11th were moved back 15 yards, the tees on the 13th were moved back 35 yards and the tees on the 15th were moved back 20 yards. This year, the tee box has been pulled back on the 17th, effectively adding another 10 yards to the hole on top of all the various holes that have already been lengthened in previous years.

While rollback rules are set to be introduced in 2028, it appears courses such as Augusta National will continue lengthening holes for the foreseeable future.

This may present little difficulty to the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, but for Olazabal, these changes are a genuine concern. The Spaniard recently made no secret of his displeasure at the ongoing alterations.

When asked if he was growing accustomed to the changes, the 60-year-old replied bluntly: "That doesn't mean I like it.

"Yes, obviously I'm getting used to the golf course playing extremely long for me. There are certain holes that I barely reach the green in two. No. 5 is a good example of that, No. 11 is another one.

"Then I do have a lot of par-fours that I'm hitting really long irons, even seven-woods on to the greens. As I said, it's always great to be here.

"My goal is just to put a couple of decent scores the first two days and try to enjoy it as much as I can."

Olazabal, however, is something of an authority around the greens, which gives him a distinct edge to call upon. He claimed his first Green Jacket in 1994 before repeating the feat in 1999.

"The more you play this golf course, the better it is," he said. "We've always said, this golf course nowadays demands a whole game.

"You need to be long and straight off the tee. You have to be sharp with your irons, and on top of that, your short game has to be really good.

"Knowing the contours of the greens and all that obviously helps you around the greens, and when you play it, I don't know, 37 times or 38 times over years, you get to know the course a little better."

Despite his reservations about the changes, Olazabal has no intention of criticising Augusta National. Having triumphed twice at the legendary club, he appreciates better than almost anyone just how remarkable the Masters truly is.

"The feelings are great," he said. "Every time I come here, this is a very special place for me, for my heart. I have wonderful memories. This place has given me so much in my career for major events. It's always fantastic to be back here."

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