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The Masters: Play Suspended After Tree Falls, Nearly Taking Out Crowd Due To Winds, Weather

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham•04/07/23•

AndrewEdGraham

The Masters - Round Two
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 07: An Augusta National Golf Club member looks over a fallen tree on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 07, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Play was suspended at The Masters on Friday as inclement weather closed in on Augusta National Golf Course. And at the 17th tee, spectators on hand were left scrambling for cover from a trio of massive pines that fell over.

In a video from an adjacent area, people can be seen running as loud cracks can be heard as one tree gets uprooted. A few seconds later, it toppled to the ground with a loud thud and more cracking branches.

Fortunately, early reports are that no one was injured.

“Due to inclement weather conditions, Augusta National Golf Club was forced to suspend play at 4:22 p.m. EDT and, subsequently, evacuated the grounds. Further updates will be announced once available,” the Masters said in a statement.

It’s a fortunate outcome, as the pines that fell could’ve easily hurt or killed a person if it landed the wrong way. Instead, it came to rest across the fairway and gave course officials an unexpected bit of groundskeeping to do.

Safe to say it’s not going to become a permanent hazard on the 17th, even if the pros could play around it.

As of the suspension of play on Friday afternoon, Brooks Koepka held the lead at 12 under par. Joining him in the Top 5 are Jon Rahm, Sam Bennett, Colin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland. Of the five golfers in the Top 5, two — Rahm and Hovland — have yet to complete their second round.

They will both resume play on Saturday morning. Rahm will be on the 10th hole to start the remainder of his round and Hovland on the 11th.

Friday play at the Masters suspended until Saturday due to weather

The tournament released a statement on Friday roughly an hour after play was suspended due to inclement weather and the trees fell on the course.

“August National Golf Club can confirm that no injuries were reported from three trees that were blown over to the left of the No. 17 tee due to win. The safety and well-being of everyone attending the Masters Tournament will always be the top priority of the Club, which will continue to closely monitor weather today and through the Tournament.”

It continued, noting play was suspended until early Saturday morning.

“The Second Round has been officially suspended for the rest of the day. Play will resume Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Ticket gates will open at 7:00 a.m. as scheduled.”