The Masters Tournament - Behind the lens at Augusta National 

By Mathieu Wood

From capturing the wonder of a winning moment to dramatic action and stunning scenic shots, the visual history of the game of golf carries great significance.

Behind many of the striking imagery taken at events around the world is renowned golf photographer Andrew Redington, a long-time member of the team from Getty Images.

With almost 30 years of experience, Redington has photographed some of the most historic occasions in the game and forged a reputation as one of the prominent golf specialists.

From covering Major Championships to Ryder Cups and countless events on the DP World Tour over the years, it will not take you long to come across examples of Redington’s craft that have been published and admired worldwide.

This week, Redington will be at Augusta National Golf Club capturing the best moments from the highly anticipated 87th edition of the Masters Tournament.

“The fact that I have covered the event so many times, I almost move into auto pilot when I am there,” he said.

“All in all, it is a fantastic place to photograph. The colours are so vibrant, the amazing colour of the grass, the crushed marble sand in the bunkers.

“With a bit of luck, the azaleas too always add to the prettiness of Augusta.”

His first experience of being on site in an official capacity at one of the sport’s prestige events was in 1993, working as an analyst, while his first as a photographer came in 1998. In the 25 years since, he has missed just a few editions of the iconic sporting event.

With storylines aplenty ahead of the season’s opening Major, Redington is expecting another eventful week.

“Pretty much everybody in the field is going to get plenty of attention from us because it is such a small field,” he said.

One player who will inevitably garner much focus is five-time Masters Champion Tiger Woods, who memorably won his 15th and most recent Major at Augusta in 2019.

Redington was there at the Georgia venue to cover what will forever be remembered as one of the most remarkable sporting achievements.

“Truth be told, I don’t remember too much about the build-up but I do remember a lot about the final day,” he reflected.

“It was exceptional with Tiger in the hunt and then there was the threat of inclement weather.

“The tournament took the unusual step of moving the tee times forward. That brought itself its own drama.

“There were four of us from Getty covering it, so I wanted to make sure that all the team had a chance of photographing Tiger. We had two guys covering him on the front nine and then they went to their position on the 18th green.

“As you can imagine, that is just about as exciting as it gets. The feelings around the golf course were incredible.

“I was with him for 90 per cent of the time. You always knew just how he was doing by the roars generated by the patrons.

“He put it close on the 16th and then knocked the putt in. That was when everybody started to believe that he was going to win. It was just an incredible atmosphere to experience.

“From there you were scrambling to get into position for his final putt on the 18th green. All of us got a good angle on it and I was pleased with my end results.”

Among the unique elements of covering the Masters for a photographer – along with other media members – is the challenge of not having inside-the-ropes access.

Yet, Redington believes that is in part what makes the responsibility and opportunity to capture symbolic shots at Augusta National so rewarding.

“The restrictions are there for everybody and that is one of the reasons it is such a nice golf course to photograph,” he said.

“The fairways are so clean, there are so few people out there – it is just the players, their caddies and the occasional TV guy in his greens so they tend to blend in. That is one of the reasons the course looks so beautiful.”

Over the years, Augusta has undergone modernisation and the latest renovation ahead of this year’s event is the lengthening of the par-five 13th – the hole that Redington singled out for particular mention when asked which his favourite is to photograph.

“The second shot, from whichever angle, but particularly from the back, when the shadows are cast across the fairway make the images striking,” he said.

The tee box now sits approximately eight feet higher and 35 yards have been added to the hole, making it play 545 yards on the scorecard.

As a result, the potential for a player to take a drive over the left corner of the dogleg has been reduced.

“That will be interesting to see how that does impact us, particularly that rear shot that I mentioned earlier,” he said.

“Sometimes you don’t photograph their shots so much rather than them striding down the fairway.

“The change could be a good thing for the photographers.”

The 13th is one of the most intimate settings on the golf course and marks the end of Amen Corner, a three-hole stretch that also includes the 11th and 12th and is popular with fans and photographers alike.

“You can literally feel the anticipation as you are walking down the preceding holes,” he said.

“Once you get halfway down 11 you can see the green, the 12th tee and 12th green. There is a certain point you get to and then it always amazes me even though I have been so many times just how many people are there.

“The contours on the bank are so great for the patrons.

“The photographers also have access to the big grandstand, we can get to the back row so you can shoot down and show the full scale of the 11th green, the 12th hole and the players teeing up on the 13th. It’s a great vantage point.”

Another favourite of Redington’s at Augusta is the par-three 16th, where the sight of patrons, players and the water-filled backdrop often combine to provide a beautiful shot.

“You are unlikely to get anything too amazing apart from maybe when Harry How got the shot of Tiger chipping in at the 2005 Masters,” he reflected.

“But particularly in the early rounds you are going there to get scenic images. And then on the Sunday you will be shooting on the longer lens looking for the action shots.”

As we prepare for another thrilling instalment of one of the sport’s most exciting occasions, you can be sure he will be one of those in position to bring the championship to life from behind the lens.