Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
Augusta is set up though for a dramatic finish because the first three holes of the back nine are very tough, then the next four you can score anywhere from -2 to -6, then the last two holes can be gotten at with bravery, but they are not easy. So there's lots of room for a run (or a collapse). Augusta is also basically a regular tour stop, so guys know the course very well. US Open courses are usually not regular PGA courses (outside Pebble Beach pretty much), and a lot more depends on the weather too, just as much as the brutal conditions. The only time major golf sucks is when it's a blowout or Patrick Reed wins. Even when it's the US Open or Open Championship and guys are struggling for pars, there's drama because the scoreboard is constantly in flux.
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I think the main element that drives drama is that a collapse isn't actually necessary to have lots of movement on the back 9. You could play it safe and go birdie-par-birdie-par on 13, 14, 15, and 16 and still lose two strokes on your playing partner. Most of the other majors, four straight pars is keeping the pace. The way Augusta is set up on Sunday you're losing ground if you don't start scoring on the back. Rather than rewarding safe, consistent (aka boring) play like the US Open, it encourages players to take risks, even necessitates it, which leads to eagle chances on the Par 5s or mistakes that can lead to bogey, the combination of which means excitement down the back stretch.