Masters Week will start as usual after the first practice day was threatened because of inclement weather.
The Augusta National Golf Club announced at 7:15 a.m. on Monday that patron gates will open at 8 a.m. for the first Masters practice round day and that parking lots were open.
The club had announced on Sunday that gates might not open for an undetermined time but its most recent statement noted that "given the current forecast, we will open ticket gates at 8 a.m. and patron parking lots are now open."
According to the Weather Underground’s data station nearest the club, there is a strong chance that day could be abbreviated. Thundershowers could arrive in the area in early afternoon with a 100 percent chance of rain. The Weather Underground wording was "perhaps a rumble of thunder" with the rain.
The club's statement said it would "monitor the approaching weather." The course will close if the rain is heavy enough that patrons can't walk safely around the hilly course or if there is lightning in the system.
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"The grounds will remain open this morning as weather permits," the club's statement concluded.
The good news is that the weather will clear up on Tuesday and looks promising the rest of the week. The temperatures will be on the cool side, not rising above the low 70s.
Are Masters tickets refunded for weather reasons?
No. Historically, the club does not issue refunds for practice round or competitive round days lost because of weather.
What is the weather forecast for Augusta?
(From the ...