Masters 2020: Golf Digest's exclusive photos from Augusta National

In a typical year, anticipation is the overwhelming emotion one feels leading into the Masters, whether you’re a player, a tournament official, a volunteer or just a golf fan. You know in your mind’s eye what to expect when you come to Augusta National, and yet you can’t wait to see it, experience it, marinate in it once more. But this, of course, isn’t a typical year. And so while COVID-19 delayed that anticipation of the Masters from April to November, it also brought with it a different emotion that prevails this unusual week: curiosity. No matter if you’re a player, a tournament official, a volunteer or just a golf fan, you haven’t necessarily seen a Masters like this. Which is why our photographers, JD Cuban and Ben Walton, will be hard at work the next few days chronicling all that’s going on at Augusta National, covering the tournament you’ve come to love while proving glimpses of sights never seen. We’ll update this photo essay throughout the week with more gold, in the hopes we can satisfy your curiosity as your anticipation for the Masters returns. —Ryan Herrington and Stephen Hennessey

RELATED: Masters 2020: Our favorite Thursday images from behind the scenes at Augusta National

• • •

Wednesday:

The rain forecasted for the next few days in Augusta began to fall on Wednesday, suspending play just after 3 p.m.

The rain didn't stop the world's best from getting in some early practice on Wednesday.

One of our favorite images of the week—a determined Tiger Woods in preparation of his title defense.

A quiet, autumnal view of the 13th green on the eve of the Masters.

A strikingly different view than we're used to seeing, right of 11 fairway and looking at the 12th green.

Matthew Fitzpatrick and caddie Billy Foster at the par-5 13th.

It will be fascinating to see how Bryson DeChambeau plays the 13th hole this week.

Bryson had his launch monitor with him throughout the course, including his approach to the 13th.

A rarity in recent years at Augusta National: The re-introduction of a second cut of rough, as our Joel Beall writes about here.

PGA champion and Masters debutant Collin Morikawa hits his tee shot at the par-3 fourth hole.

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson rips driver at the short par-4 third hole.

The challenge, like this greenside bunker at No. 2, awaits.

• • •

Tuesday:

This is an image we're not sure has been captured at the Masters before. Our photographer JD Cuban used long exposure with a couple of pops of flash to make it look as if the famous leader board at Augusta National was lit (when, in fact, it is not).

Players take the (much) quieter walk up the 18th fairway.

Even the world's best players want to chronicle the rare patronless Masters.

Masters debutant Matthew Wolff and swing coach George Gankas soak in the moment.

Jon Rahm had quite the Tuesday—making his second hole-in-one at Augusta in as many days ... this one from skipping it across the water on the 16th hole (on his birthday, no less!).

Andrew Putnam plays his approach to the par-5 13th.

The tee shot from the pines at the 13th hole.

Tony Finau hits a shot as caddie Mark Urbanek looks on.

Very few eyes are getting to observe Bryson DeChambeau's preparation.

Phil Mickelson got a practice round in with three of the tournament's biggest contenders—Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson (not pictured).

Who said there were no birds at Augusta National?

A stocked-up, but patron-less merchandise shop.

A wide shot of an empty course on Tuesday.

OK, one more of Bryson hitting driver on Tuesday, this one at the opening hole.

• • •

Monday:

A caddie soaks in the fall hues.

Dawn on Monday morning as Masters week 2020 begins.

Empty tables outside Augusta National's clubhouse.

A view of the 12th green through the trees.

Looking at the 13th green through the trees, Augusta's fall foliage doesn't disappoint.

The par-3 16th hole.

Players practiced on Monday, trying to get an idea of how the course might play differently compared to in the spring.

Gary Woodland walks along the Sarazen Bridge as he approached the 15th green.

Amid the practice rounds, course maintenance staff work on continuing to get Augusta National into game shape.

An empty concession stand hints at what we're missing this week without patrons in attendance.

The emptiness all around Augusta National will take some getting used to.

Tiger Woods' caddie, Joe LaCava, gets an early look at the 13th green on Monday.

With no grandstand beside the 11th green and 12th tee, the area's openness is striking.

An official waits patiently for players to come through on the 12th tee.