Woods, Els rate US Masters as toughest

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MIAMI: Tiger Woods and Ernie Els believe the lengthening of Augusta National for this year's US Masters, combined with its traditionally fast greens, makes it the toughest of the four majors. The undulating par-72 layout, stretched an extra 155 yards for the April 6-9 tournament, has become the second longest course in major championship history at 7,445 yards. "Without a doubt, it's gotten so much more difficult now," world No 1 Woods told reporters as he prepared to bid for a record fifth title at this week's Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando, Florida. "With the added length and with those greens being the way they are, it makes it so hard out there. "With the speed of these greens now, each and every year, it all depends if they are firm," added the four-time Masters champion, who played a practice round at Augusta National on Sunday. "If they are firm, that golf course is probably the most difficult golf course you'll ever play." South African Els, runner-up at Augusta in 2000 and 2004, played two days of practice at the course last week.