(Augusta) Overnight rain forced Masters organizers to delay the start of Thursday’s opening round by 30 minutes.
Posted at 9:05 a.m.
Thus, Tiger Woods must now start at 11:04 a.m. Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama will be part of the next group, at 11:15 a.m.
Three Canadians are in the tournament, including 2003 champion Mike Weir. Weir made his first tee shot at 8:41 a.m. and scored a six, a double bogey.
Mackenzie Hughes (10:09 a.m.) and Corey Conners (12:43 p.m.) are the other two Canadians entered in the first Grand Slam tournament of the men’s golf season.
Meteorologists say the chances of additional precipitation for Thursday are slim, although strong winds could welcome the wave of golfers who will tee off in the afternoon.
Temperatures could cool down over the weekend, with a forecast low of around five degrees Celsius on Saturday night, an unusually low mercury in the Augusta area for this time of year.
Protocol and humor
As is customary, the tournament began with ceremonial tee-offs from three sports legends, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, for whom it was a first.
And they added a little humor to this always special moment.
Palmer, a three-time winner at Augusta and long a staunch proponent of fitness, was the first to take to the mound. Watson couldn’t help but tease the South African.
“Is he going to do a push-up?” Watson asked.
“I made it while you were sleeping this morning!” “replied Player.
Nicklaus, the tournament-record six-time Green Jacket winner, followed and wondered aloud if he was going to fall while trying to put his tee on the ground!
” Yes ! I succeeded! “, he then exclaimed, generating more laughter among the spectators around the mound.
Then it was Watson’s turn to comply. Twice winner of the tournament – his first title dates back 45 years ago – Watson wanted to say a few words.
“I would like to say how honored I am to be with Gary and Jack. I have watched this ceremony many times in the past […] and to participate in it touches me sincerely. »