AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters is expected to get off to a rocky start in Thursday’s opening round at Augusta National, where thunderstorms and high winds are forecast.
There is a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m., with wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph between 8 a.m. and noon.
That would create potentially dangerous conditions and push back start times, potentially putting Friday in play for the conclusion of the first round.
Last year’s Masters was also affected by weather, with the second round pushed to Saturday and the third round to Sunday, when eventual winner Jon Rahm and co-finalist Brooks Koepka played 30 holes.
Friday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny and windy conditions with a high of 72 and winds at 15-20 mph and gusts to 30 mph.
The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is sunny and pleasantly warm.
Meanwhile, the players are preparing for Thursday’s conditions.
“The golf course is tough enough without the weather,” Gary Woodland said. “The golf course is absolutely perfect, so I hope some of the rain doesn’t miss it. It’s firm and fast now. Absolutely perfect. Golf is difficult enough without the wind, so it will be a challenge, but one that everyone will have to face.
A great white shark was spotted Wednesday at Augusta National.
Greg Norman, who came close but never won a Masters, entered the field as a patron, with a ticket.
Norman, who has competed in 23 Masters and finished second three times, is the commissioner of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour and had not competed in a Masters since 2021, when he worked for SiriusXM radio .
The Washington Post was the first to spot Norman on the ground with some LIV executives.
“I’m here because we have 13 players who have won 10 Masters between them,” Norman told the newspaper. “So I’m here just to support them, do my best to show them, ‘Hey, you know, the boss is here to support you.’ ‘
When Norman was asked about the status of peace talks between LIV and the PGA Tour, he remained vague.
“To be honest with you, LIV is completely self-sustaining,” he said. “I’m not even privy to any of the conversations, which I’m happy about because we’re focused on delivering what we promised the world that we would deliver.”
Norman lamented that there aren’t more LIV players on the field other than the 13 that are here.
“I think there are probably a few that have been overlooked that should be included,” Norman said. “What is this number?” I’m not going to give a definitive number, but these are definitely quality players who have had incredible performances over the last six to nine months and are worth it.
The lack of world ranking points prevented many LIV golfers from participating in this year’s tournament.
Tommy Fleetwood became the second English Masters golfer to lose his caddy this week, after Tyrrell Hatton also had to call in an emergency replacement.
Fleetwood regular Cadet Ian Finnis is back in England recovering from a chest infection which has plagued him for most of the season, while Hatton man Mick Donaghy is recovering from a bruised shoulder after a fall this weekend.
Hatton brought in Hugo Dobson, a former England under-18 teammate who plays on satellite tours, and Fleetwood decided to bring in 30-year Augusta veteran Gray Moore, who is the club’s former caddy master.
“He hasn’t been good all year,” Fleetwood said of Finnis. “At the moment he is at home, trying to recover and get the right treatment. I hope he comes back as soon as possible. It’s definitely different being without him. We have been to every tournament together for the last eight years.
New York Post
