According to an early Thursday morning statement from Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday’s first-round gate openings and tee times will be indefinitely delayed.
“We continue to monitor the weather closely,” the official statement says. “Gate openings and tee times have been delayed until further notice. The first round will not begin before 9 a.m.”
Steady rain has pelted the Augusta area since just before Midnight Wednesday, and the latest forecasts show rain and thunderstorms could persist through at least 10 a.m. Once the rain has passed through the area, skies will begin to clear and high temperatures are expected to climb to 80 degrees.
The next three days, from Friday through Sunday, call for abundant sunshine and high temperatures ranging from the mid 70s to low 80s which would make for the best stretch of weather the Masters has seen in about five years.
From 2014 through 2018, Masters golfers and patrons may have wondered if the Augusta National course would ever see rain during a Masters event again.
Over the last few years, that sentiment has likely reversed as every Masters since 2019 has been hampered, at least in part, by rain.
The warmer weather, at least for Tiger Woods, is good news.
Woods, 48, spoke to reporters after practice rounds on Tuesday and stated that, while his surgically repaired ankle is doing well, other parts of his body feel the pain.
“I ache,” Woods said. “No, I ache every day. And I prefer it warm and humid and hot. And I know we’re going to get some thunderstorms. So at least it will be hot. It won’t be like last year.”
Last year, rain, wind and thunderstorms not only forced delays in play on Friday and Saturday, but were also responsible for the toppling of three pine trees near places where spectators gathered.
No one was injured as Jon Rahm rallied on a clear Sunday evening to win his first Green Jacket, becoming just the fourth player from Spain to do so.
Temperatures during last year’s Masters hovered in the 50s and 60s which, coupled with the wind and rain, made for some chilly playing conditions.
Regardless of what happens Thursday, Friday through Sunday should be some of the most ideal weather the tournament has seen in several years.
