Huge thunder storm threatens to cause chaos at Masters with fears tournament could be extended to FIVE DAYS
A HUGE thunder storm is threatening to cause chaos at the Masters, prompting fears of a Monday finish.
Weather conditions for the golf tournament in Augusta, USA, were nigh-on perfect on Thursday.
But the latest weather forecasts have suggested there will be a dramatic shift to this, with thundery showers set to wreak havoc on Friday and Saturday for the tournament.
The storms started at around 11am (7am EST) and are set to get progressively worse up to 8pm (4pm EST), with wind picking up pace after 5pm (1pm EST).
As a result, the tee off times for the second round were pushed up by 30 minutes.
And while this was good news for those starting in the morning, those teeing off in the afternoon could find themselves rained under.
Saturday’s forecast doesn’t make much better reading, with rain set to be falling all day.
Rain is even expected to fall on Sunday morning in a further blow to tournament officials.
Indeed, the storms have prompted fears the Masters will be delayed by TWO days.
Such an event could result in a rare Monday finish.
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It has happened just five times throughout the tournament’s history, with the most recent being in 1983.
Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros won the event 40 years ago, when the final round was delayed to Monday.
Sky Sports’ Sarah Stirk, who is reporting from the course said: “We’ve all been monitoring the weather all this week.
“And it doesn’t look great. Storms are expected today.
“They will be bad for three or four hours. If those storms come today, it could really affect things.
“It would cause massive delays. Plans are being discussed and potentially being put in place for a Monday finish.
“That would be the first Monday finish here at Augusta National for 40 years.
“Things are being discussed and planned because the forecast here is that bad.
“One of the US media guys said, ‘I’ve been coming here for 30 years and this is the worst forecast I’ve seen at the Masters.”
The opening day of the 2023 tournament was thankfully played in full without delays.
Brooks Koepka was one of three golfers who shot seven under par on day one.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods was seen grimacing in pain while Rory McIlroy struggled.