McIlroy also referenced the trees now missing down the left side of the 10th hole. Visually, it has changed his aiming point and perspective of how much he needs to move the ball.

Collin Morikawa took notice of the second hole, where he believes his options off the tee have opened up along with the lack of trees down the left side.

"You can play a few different tee shots out there now, just with what happened with the storms," he said after playing 13 holes on Tuesday. "But for the most part the straight ball for me is how I play this golf course."

Cameron Smith said Augusta "looks a lot more airy," but doesn't believe it will change the way he plays the course.

Few people know – or love – Augusta National more than Fred Couples, who will make his 40th Masters start this week. The 1992 champion said he actually thinks the course visually looks better.

"I don't know why I say that," he admitted. "The other day we played No.1 and we were standing on the green and you just look right down and you see a lot more room on the ninth tee. I think that's kind of cool. You can watch people hit.

"I know a lot of trees went down. I know this town was devastated, but the golf course is unbelievable. But the trees, I couldn't tell you if they lost 10 important areas where trees were. I don't think so. But there's still a lot of trees. My God."

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is attempting to make history this week as he seeks to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win three Masters in a four-year stretch. Like the others, he sees the clear visual difference around Augusta National.

But Scheffler believes it's just that – visually different. While players can see much more of the golf course from different holes, the amount of trees gone that will impact individual shots is minimal.

"I think when you're hitting into the trees you're still going to be in a good amount of trouble," he said. "There's only a few trees that are gone that are really noticeable, ones that are in play.

"But overall the golf course is in great shape. The greens are really good. I think we're in store for another great tournament."

Field Level Media, via Reuters