Jon Rahm Discusses Augusta National Storm Damage

Has Augusta National’s Famous 10th Hole Gotten Easier? One Player Thinks So

A mysterious claim about Augusta National’s legendary 10th hole has defending Masters champion Jon Rahm raising his eyebrows – and trying not to laugh.

Someone told Rahm you can now hit a high cut over the cabins on the 10th hole, thanks to trees knocked down by Hurricane Helene last year. He’s not buying it.

“I don’t believe it,” Rahm said with a chuckle. “And after I said this, I’m pretty sure there might be a tree right there next to the tee tomorrow morning!”

The 10th hole, nicknamed “Camellia,” has always been one of Augusta’s toughest challenges. At 495 yards, this monster par-4 plays downhill and features a nasty 60-yard bunker guarding the green.

While Rahm wouldn’t name names, the aggressive line over the cabins sounds like something Bryson DeChambeau might try. He’s known for taking wild shots – like that crazy 370-yard drive across the water at Bay Hill in 2021.

But the hurricane did leave its mark on Augusta.

“When you’re looking down the property, you can see a little bit further down,” Rahm noted. “It doesn’t necessarily play significantly different, but visually there is a change.”

Rory McIlroy, one of golf’s biggest hitters, agrees the course looks different in spots.

“You can see the TV tower at the bottom of the hill on 10 now – you couldn’t before,” McIlroy said. “Visually it looks like you don’t have to turn the ball as much as you used to.”

The changes come after Hurricane Helene hammered the Southeast last September, causing billions in damage and claiming hundreds of lives. Augusta took a direct hit, with 100-mph winds toppling trees across the famous course.

Augusta National responded by donating $5 million to local relief efforts. While chairman Fred Ridley described the course damage as “minor,” aerial photos showed fallen trees near iconic spots like Magnolia Lane and the 16th green.

Players will notice more open views this week when the Masters begins. But hitting over those cabins on 10? That’s probably just locker room talk.

As McIlroy put it: “Apart from a few visual changes, I think it’s pretty much the same Augusta.”