Masters week hasn’t started and there are already weather issues.
The Augusta National Golf Club announced at 6 p.m. Sunday that patron gates will not open on Monday for the first Masters practice round day until further notice because of expected “inclement weather.”
According to the Weather Underground’s data station nearest the club, there is a 99 percent chance of thunderstorms in Augusta by 8 p.m. on Sunday. Another round of storms is predicted at 9 a.m. on Monday and could continue through 1 p.m., with rain the rest of the day.
The club stopped short of canceling the practice round for patrons entirely but said patron parking lots will be closed until further notice.
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“No patrons should approach Augusta National Golf Club until more details are released,” the club’s statement said.
The club’s next update will be Monday at 8 a.m.
The good news is that the weather will clear up on Tuesday and looks promising for the rest of the week, aside from the possibility of morning showers on Friday. The temperatures will be on the cool side, not rising out of the upper 60s most of the week.
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 Weather Underground's data station near the Augusta National Golf Club)
Sunday
8 p.m., 99 percent chance of thunderstorms
Monday
8 a.m.: 48 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms.
9 a.m.: 65 percent chance of thunderstorms.
10 a.m.: 66 percent chance of rain.
11 a.m.: 95 percent chance of thunderstorms.
12 p.m.: 96 percent chance of thunderstorms.
1 p.m.: 87 percent chance of thunderstorms.
2 p.m.: 90 percent chance of rain.
3 p.m. ...
