Before following Ian Poulter this morning I spent two hours watching the players come through Amen Corner. There is a fantastic press gantry that looks over the 12th green and all of the 13th.
The patrons have a great view from a nearby stand and from the surrounding slopes where they can leave their chairs for the day. These areas are full when the key groups come through. Despite this activity, and a beer tent in close proximity, the players experience a unique quiet here. To the left of the competitors all the way around Amen Corner there is a huge wall of trees with no spectators. This means that the 11th, 12th and 13th greens are about 150 yards from the crowds, leaving players and their caddies in relative confinement. Listen to the crowd the next time you see a birdie on the 12th and notice the subdued round of applause that follows. The crowds are so far away that the sound hardly reaches the green. This isolated feeling helps to create the special feeling at Amen Corner and undoubtedly adds to the pressure at the weekend.
Where next?
Augusta National: Hole-by-hole guide to Augusta
Augusta gallery: Augusta pictures gallery
History & Records: US Masters records
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