Masters EVACUATED over bad weather after fans were banned from Augusta course over safety concerns

PLAYERS and patrons have been told to evacuate Augusta National after dangerous weather clouded the course in Georgia.

The first major of the year gets underway on Thursday – with the best players in the world battling it out for the famous green jacket.

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Players and patrons have been told to evacuate Augusta National[/caption]

Reuters

Fans made their way off the Augusta National grounds after the horn sounded for the delay[/caption]

EPA

Augusta delayed the practice round for the Masters and banned fans from entering the property at first this morning[/caption]

But the stars hoping to get themselves familiar with the iconic course today will have to wait due to the weather.

Storms caused chaos in the early stages of practice after the horn was sounded and everyone was evacuated from the course.

A statement released by The Masters read: “Due to inclement weather conditions, Augusta National Golf Club was forced to suspend Monday’s practice round and evacuate the grounds at 11:25am.

“Further updates will be provided and shared on Masters.com once available”.

Storms had already caused Monday’s practice round to be delayed and seen fans initially banned from entering the famous Augusta course this morning.

A separate Augusta National statement said: “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.

“No patrons should approach Augusta National until more details are released.”

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Fans were let into Augusta National at 8am, but have now been made to evacuate[/caption]

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Players were also made to leave the course[/caption]

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Those restrictions were later lifted and fans were allowed to enter the course at 8am local time.

However, the dangerous weather now means that those that did make their way to the course have now been evacuated just over three hours later.

Forecasts suggest the thunderstorms will not pass until approximately 1pm local time – 6pm UK time.

But rain is expected throughout the day.

Thankfully, the forecast for Tuesday is much better.

For the actual golf tournament, Thursday is expected to be the hottest day with highs of around 24C.

Friday could see some showers but the weekend looks clear and sunny.

The WJBF television station in Augusta, Georgia issued an alert from 11am until 5pm local time in the town.

They stated the main threats are “damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding”.

The WJBF added that “isolated large hail and brief, weak tornadoes cannot be ruled out”.

Augusta has been peppered by storms in recent years.

During the 2023 tournament, three 100ft trees dramatically fell to the ground before play was suspended.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the scary and shocking scenes.

Then Hurricane Helene’s 130mph winds wreaked more havoc last September, with the destruction wiping out some more trees – with one even landing on the 16th green which had to be remade.

Georgia and the surrounding states are still recovering from the hurricane.

Hundreds of people lost their lives, homes were wrecked and there was billions of dollars worth of damage.

AP

Trees came down during strong winds while play was going on in the 2023 tournament[/caption]