5 holes at Augusta that will decide the Masters champion

"The Masters doesn't start until the back nine on Sunday."

The old adage about Augusta National is true. Over the years, Masters leaderboards have been completely turned upside down as players attempt to navigate Amen Corner (holes 11-13) and make birdies down the stretch.

Expect more of the same in 2019. Aside from the change to No. 5, Augusta's form remains similar to recent years, setting the stage for another fantastic week of golf.

Here are the five holes that will determine the Masters champion.

No. 5 - Magnolia

The fifth at Augusta underwent a drastic change over the past year, with the tee blocks moved back 40 yards. This makes a difficult par 4 even tougher at 495 yards, including a 313-yard carry over the left fairway bunkers.

Players need to make a difficult decision off the tee: Hit driver and bring the fairway bunkers into play, or hold back and set up a longer approach shot into the green. Either way, Magnolia will likely play as the hardest hole on the course this week, surpassing Nos. 10 and 11, and could produce some tournament-altering scores.

No. 12 - Golden Bell

The 155-yard par 3 in the middle of Amen Corner may appear simple, but its position in the depths of Augusta National's property helps make the wind extremely difficult to gauge. Club selection becomes crucial, especially late on Masters Sunday. Jordan Spieth felt the full wrath of Golden Bell when he put two balls into Rae's Creek, which runs in front of the well-guarded green.

According to Data Golf, No. 12 has made the greatest impact on scores of all par 3s at Augusta dating back to 1983. Stealing a final-round birdie here could change the course of the tournament, though most players will be happy with a par.

No. 13 - Azalea

The final hole of Amen Corner presents an opportunity to make up dropped shots from the previous holes with an eagle, but it can also send a round spiraling out of control. Players face a tough tee shot into the severely sloped fairway of the dogleg left, 510-yard par 5, and many will find the pine straw down the right side.

If golfers are in a position to go for the green in two, birdies are fairly routine. However, if someone forces the issue from a tough lie, the water that runs in front of the green is notorious for penalizing overly aggressive shots. Per Data Golf, Azalea has had the greatest impact on scoring of all holes at Augusta since 1983.

No. 15 - Firethorn

The 530-yard par 5 is the final chance for chasers to make up ground on the leaders, or for a leader to pull away. It's reachable in two for most of the field, depending on a player's drive, but the green has water guarding it from the front and back, with runoffs on each side making the landing area appear larger than it actually is.

Sergio Garcia provided the most recent example of how quickly disaster can strike on Firethorn. He made a 13 in last year's first round, shockingly hitting five balls into the water a year after an eagle on No. 13 propelled him to his first career major. It typically plays as the easiest hole at Augusta, but it cannot be taken lightly.

No. 18 - Holly

The final hole at Augusta may not be the most interesting one, but depending on how Sunday's leaderboard stands with the last few groups to play, it can be the most exciting.

The 465-yard par 4 named Holly is the home of one of the most famous tee shots in golf, as a narrow treeline creates an intimidating chute that players must navigate in order to make a birdie. Spieth clipped one off the trees during his run at Patrick Reed last year that settled 177 yards from the tee. If golfers can avoid the fairway bunkers that are in plain sight, a birdie is possible with an accurate uphill approach.

Many Masters have been won and lost on No. 18.