In this case, Norén is actually not referring to the golf course itself, but to a building.
Ahead of the 90th edition of the Masters, the club felt that the player facilities needed to be upgraded.
And when Augusta National decides to do something, it doesn't hold back. Behind the range, players now have access to the "players service building" - a gigantic three-story building with everything they could want. dining room, locker room, gym, treatment room, and more. It's lavish and tasteful, "top-notch".
“Absolutely magical”
The fact that the construction only took a few months almost seems like a magic trick.
"It looks like it's been there for a hundred years. It's absolutely magical, I've never seen anything like it. It's the most beautiful building I've ever seen," says Alex Norén.
His tactic is otherwise not to look around with wide eyes at the golf paradise that spreads out inside the gates of Augusta National. Instead, the plan is not to make the Masters bigger than it already is.
I've always hyped this competition up; now I'm trying to "de-hype" it a little instead, says the Florida-based 43-year-old.
Having that attitude is easier now than before, with age and four Masters under his belt. Alex Norén debuted in 2017 and made his most recent start in 2023, but has struggled to perform at Augusta year after year.
The hope is that this will change this year.
“Better feeling”
Norén, ranked 19th in the world after last year's strong comeback from injury, comes to the major in Georgia with rankings of 29–12–24–32–30 in the last five competitions. A mixed bag, without any real highs. But the feeling was good after Norén polished his swing on Monday, both on the range and the first nine holes of the course.
A much better feeling today than last week. And not just the feeling - the ball is flying better, he says.
Norén also likes the forecast, which says the entire competition week will be rain-free, with plenty of sun and increasingly higher temperatures heading into the weekend. The course is set to be played dry and tough.
I've never played a dry Augusta with very fast greens. I was really happy when I saw the weather report that it would be a little harder. It's an incredibly good course, so cool to play. I'm really looking forward to playing well here.
