AUGUSTA, Ga. — Mother Nature may play a role in how much golf Masters patrons get to see on Monday. Due to expected inclement weather and safety concerns, patron gates will not open as scheduled for Monday's practice round.
"All patron parking lots will remain closed until further notice," stated a Masters weather bulletin announcing the delay Sunday evening. "No patrons should approach Augusta National Golf Club until more details are released."
The forecast for the first practice round day at the 89th Masters is ominous. The official forecast cites 100 percent chance of rain and "embedded thunderstorms." It is expected to be breezy and cooler at Augusta National Golf Club with a high of 71 degrees and low of 60. The rain is expected to fall all day with heavy rainfall at times and between three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half.
Not just rain but lightning is expected, too
More concerning is the occasional lightning. The threat of electricity in the area is expected to diminish in the afternoon. The last time a Masters practice round was canceled due to weather was in 2022, when the Tuesday practice round was suspended due to inclement weather and safety concerns at about 11 a.m.
Prior to that, storms washed out a practice round when storms moved into the area and the gates at Augusta National were never opened in 2014, marking the first time in 20 years that had happened.
What happens to fans with Monday tickets?
If the gates don't open, Masters.com says it reserves the right to suspend the tournament or close the golf course because of adverse conditions or for other safety reasons. In such situations, no refunds, rain checks, exchanges or replacements will be made. But in 2022, patrons received refunds and were given a chance to buy tickets the following year.
Still, it is causing plenty of angst among ticketholders.
"Officially feeling crushed after remaining optimistic for the past week. Looking like a total washout Monday. Twenty-three years of waiting to hit the lottery and now this," wrote ForeOSU on Redditt. "Complete and absolute gut punch."
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Masters weather: Patrons not allowed in at Augusta due to expected storms
