Moving Day Preview
Masters 2025: Why this three-hole stretch at Augusta will be key on Saturday
Harry How
AUGUSTA, Ga. — "Saturday is moving day" at the Masters isn't just about birdie opportunities. It's about separating true contenders from pretenders through Augusta National's challenging stretches. And this Saturday's pin positions for the third round of the 2025 Masters will put that reputation to the test right from the start.
While players might find scoring chances at the par-5 second and short par-4 third, Augusta's teeth will be fully bared during the three-hole gauntlet that follows. This stretch will be particularly treacherous given the listed pin placements.
The par-3 fourth appears approachable but hides significant danger. At nearly 250 yards and subject to swirling, deceptive winds, any approach missing left will leave players desperately scrambling to save par. The green's subtle breaks make even routine two-putts a challenge.
The fifth hole stands as one of Augusta's most formidable tests, yielding just six birdies against 22 bogeys or worse on Friday. Saturday's seemingly benign center pin placement is a wolf in sheep's clothing—positioned directly adjacent to a severe slope that rejects anything less than perfect. Zach Johnson's ordeal Saturday morning demonstrated this perfectly when his 38-foot putt rolled all the way back to his feet. His remarkable recovery, draining the subsequent 33-footer to save par, underscores the hole's unpredictability.
The gauntlet concludes at the par-3 sixth, featuring one of Augusta's most dramatically undulating greens with today's pin tucked dangerously in the back left corner. Players face a strategic dilemma: aim right to use the slope but risk staying on the top tier, or go more direct but potentially face a treacherous 50-foot putt if short. The area left of the pin remains particularly perilous, with few good recovery options.
While the back nine traditionally hosts the Masters' most dramatic moments, a player's championship hopes may well be determined by how they navigate this early front-nine crucible. To contend on Sunday, they must first survive Saturday's opening challenges with their scorecard intact.
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