Masters tee times have been delayed with Tiger Woods and co. forced to start later due to weather in Augusta, which ‘could go against’ the five-time champion

The start of the Masters was delayed due to bad weather.

On Wednesday, thunderstorms forced Wednesday’s three out of the contest, but conditions continued all evening and overnight in Augusta.

Tournament officials announced that the first group would start at 8:30 a.m. local time instead of 8:00 a.m., with Tom Watson joining Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as honorary starters at 8:15 a.m.

The legendary trio will hit tee shots on the opening hole before retiring to the clubhouse.

Tiger Woods, who everyone is eager to see, will leave at 11.04am (4.04pm UK) after his remarkable recovery from injuries sustained in a car crash in February last year.

Many feared the 46-year-old, arguably the greatest golfer in history, would never compete again after driving his vehicle at 85mph and nearly resulting in the amputation of his right leg.

He spent three months in hospital but expects to be in contention for a sixth green jacket.

“I feel like if I can still compete at the highest level I will, but if I feel like I can’t, you won’t see me here.

“I don’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it.”

Speaking to talkSPORT, golf correspondent Bob Bubka pointed out that physical conditioning will be crucial for Woods as he discussed the weather on the course.

“If he does the weekend, his chances of winning increase, but doing the weekend will not be an easy task,” he explained.

“I have to say the weather over the past two days has made the golf course milder which means it will be harder to walk. It’s going to play longer, it’s going against Tiger. Going up and down those hills with that bad right leg he’s got.

“We only know Tiger, when he was asked the other day at close range, ‘can you win?’ he said – ‘I only go to an event if I think I can win and I think I can win’.

“That’s how Tiger has been his whole career.”