For comments: ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, and welcome to day one at the Masters.

1. Ridley on lengthening 13

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…“The subject of the 13th hole has been a topic of discussion for several years,” Ridley said. “We believe this modification will put a driver in play more often and restore the element of risk and reward that was intended in the original design of the hole.”

• “Specifically, Ridley was asked his thoughts on whether the additional yardage at No. 13 will prompt more players to lay up and if that was the club’s plan.”

• “On paper, the new tee at Augusta National’s 13th hole is 35 yards longer for this year’s Masters, but it may as well stretch all the way to Macon.”

• “I think a lot of that really depends on the weather,” he said. “I think you may be right that the data will show that more players will lay up. I think for a still large number who will go for the green in two, I think it’s going to be a much more challenging and a much more exciting shot.

• “I certainly look forward on Sunday to having someone in competition with a 3- or 4-iron in their hand or even a hybrid hitting their shot into the 13th hole rather than an 8-iron. I think on balance it’s going to prove to be the right decision.”

2. Ridley on rollback

Golfweek’s David Dusek…” it came as no surprise on Wednesday morning that Ridley hinted at support for the USGA and R&A’s proposal for the creation of a new Model Local Rule that could require elite male golfers to start using a distance-reducing golf ball in 2026.”

• “As the comment period remains open, we will be respectful of the process as the USGA and the R&A consider this important issue,” Ridley said in his opening comments. “We have been consistent in our support of the governing bodies and we re-state our desire to see distance addressed.”

• Moments later, when asked by a reporter for more detail and his personal thoughts on distance and the potential use of distance-reducing golf balls, Ridley added, “I think, in a general sense, we do support the proposal, but because it’s in the middle of a comment period, it could change. The whole purpose of the comment period is to take the input from the industry. So we will look at the final product and make a decision. But generally, we have always been supportive of the governing bodies. I’ve stated that we believe distance needs to be addressed. I think the natural conclusion is, yes, we will be supportive.”

3. Phil at dinner

Jim Slater for the AFP…”Crow and humble pie were not on the menu for the Champions dinner at the 87th Masters, but LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson’s silence at the esteemed gathering spoke volumes.”

• …”The 52-year-old American left-hander made his return this year but reportedly turned down the chance for a news conference and spoke informally to reporters.”

• …”Mickelson was among six LIV Golf players at Tuesday night’s Champions Dinner for past Masters winners and reportedly sat away from most fellow champions and stayed silent.”

4. Champions dinner “temperature”

5. Weather report

Via Golf Channel…

Thursday

High: 85 degrees

Low: 67 degrees

Winds: S 7-14 mph

Rainfall: 30% chance of thunderstorms after 3 p.m.; 0.10-0.25 inches

Friday

High: 73 degrees

Low: 62 degrees

Winds: ESE 4-8; shifting NE 12-18 (gusts 25 mph)

Rainfall: 50% chance of morning showers with rain increasing to 70% in the afternoon with a few embedded thunderstorms possible; 0.50 inches

Saturday

High: 52 degrees

Low: 49 degrees

Winds: NE 12-18 mph (gusts 25 mph)

Rainfall: 90% chance of rain and could be heavy at times; 0.75-1.50 inches

Sunday

High: 62 degrees

Low: 47 degrees

Winds: NE 12-18 mph (gusts 25 mph)

Rainfall: 50% chance of morning showers; cloudy becoming partly sunny

6. Tiger’s days at Augusta coming to an end?

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports…”It seems sacrilegious to say Tiger Woods isn’t a legitimate contender to win the Masters. He is, after all, Tiger Woods. That was the general impression however that came Tuesday from no less of an authority on the subject than Tiger Woods himself.

• No, he didn’t flat out say he couldn’t win a sixth green jacket, but he repeatedly mentioned his injured leg (from a 2021 car crash), his injured back (from general wear and tear) and his limited strength and endurance (“I just have to be cognizant of how much I can push it”).

• He was expansive on his stop-and-smell-the-roses mindset — “just appreciate the memories” — talked wistfully of the seniors tour (where players get to ride in a cart) and expressed gratitude that he still had both of his legs.

• He even brought up the idea that his Masters playing days may be numbered.

• “I don’t know how many more I have in me,” Tiger said Tuesday at Augusta National.

• This was a far cry from the uber-confident competitor who changed this tournament and this sport in unimaginable ways. That Tiger wouldn’t have tolerated even the hint that he was just here to play, not win.

7. Varner III calls out fellow LIV pros

Kayla Douglas for the Score…”Harold Varner takes issue with fellow LIV golfers claiming they joined the Saudi-backed circuit in an effort to improve the game.

• “They’re full of shit; they’re growing their pockets,” Varner said in a recent interview with The Washington Post’s Kent Babb. “I tell them all the time, all of them: You didn’t come here to f—–g grow the f—–g game.”

• He added, “The Tour has made it where they say it’s not about the money. I don’t care what anyone says. It’s about the damn money.”

8. Tiger to Champions Tour?

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Last month, Jack Nicklaus hinted that Tiger Woods might be interested in playing on the Champions Tour when his time comes. While that came as a bit of a surprise to some at the time, Tiger confirmed that he intends to do just that.”

• “At his Masters pre-tournament press conference, Woods alluded to his future on the senior circuit.”

• “I just have to be cognizant of how much I can push it. I can hit a lot of shots but the difficulty for me is going to be the walking going forward. It is what it is. I wish it could be easier.”

• “I’ve got three more years, where I get the little buggy and be out there with Fred (Couples). But until then no buggy.”

9. Varner on media: ‘They used to write nice stuff, but now it’s just chaos’

Our Jason Daniels…”The 32-year-old was also very vocal about the way the media has treated all the players that have joined the Greg Norman-led tour, but admits it might spur him on to an ever better finish this time.”

• “Yeah, I want to play well. Everyone thinks we suck now, so I want to play great.”

• “Addressing those he was speaking to, he added: “You all write it and I just read it. I don’t pay attention. I don’t know who wrote it. They have Twitter and social media. They just write. I want to play well. It’s not like Space Jam where they took our talents away, so I’m super excited. I want to play well. That’s why you play.”

• “It’s always on my Twitter. They used to write nice stuff, but now it’s just chaos. But I work well in chaos, so I’ll be good.”