Iconic Masters landscape at Augusta National altered with fewer trees following hurricane

The Category 4 storm hit in September, ripping through the Southeast and taking hundreds of trees down at Augusta National.

At the time, Augusta National chair Fred Ridley said in a press release that the club's focus was on ensuring the safety of the community. 

"Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene," said Ridley.

Players in pursuit of the coveted green jacket have noticed that some holes have been thinned out, possibly presenting new attack plans.

"If you are feeling extremely dangerous, there's a little gap on the left side of the trees where you can kind of hit it through," Xander Schauffele said, according to AP.

"I was looking at trees. It almost felt like I was playing the back nine for the first time," said the nine-time PGA Tour winner.

Many holes on the course are named after trees or flowers in proximity, such as the second "Pink Dogwood" and the thirteenth hole "Azalea."

Jon Rahm also shared that he's heard conversations about possible new routes on the tenth tee. 

"Somebody did tell me you can hit a high cut over the cabins on 10. I don't believe it," Rahm said, according to AP.

"I don't see there's a chance where so many trees fell where that's a possibility," he said. 

"I have heard from members that you can tell there's a difference. When you're looking down the property, you can see a little bit further down."

Rahm did say there is a "visual change" to the hole.

Fox News Digital reached out to Augusta National and the PGA Tour for further comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.