Play is suspended at The Masters, but patrons, players, caddies and officials alike were lucky when a huge tree was blown over at the 17th hole.
The 87th instalment of the iconic major looks set for a first Monday finish in 40 years with thunder, lightning and torrential rain forecast for Saturday, meaning play will likely have to be squeezed into the final two days at Augusta National. For some, that won;t matter. Rory McIlroy is set to miss the cut and will join those heading home after their first two rounds. Scot Sandy Lyle made his final appearance at the famous Georgia course as he bows out after winning this competition in 1988.
For thise sticking around, they’ll be hoping the weather is’t as extreme as feared. Play was halted on Friday with the rain starting to come down and light fading. But the toppling of a tree illustrated how hairy things could get, and it’s fortunate that no-one was hurt as it fell away from the fairway. Course officials and staff are cutting it to bits with chainsaws so it can be removed ahead of play hopefully restarting at some point.
Brooks Koepke is the leader on 12 under. The LIV golfer is three shots clear of Spaniard John Rahm, who plays on the rival PGA and European Tour.
