AUGUSTA — Several large trees were uprooted and fell across the 17th tee just before a second weather delay during the second round of the Masters on Friday. No injuries were reported, but branches from the pine trees landed near spectators and others rushed to assist.
The trees fell across the tee box at the hole as high winds blew through the course. The fallen trees, completely uprooted, immediately caught the attention of nearby players and spectators near the 16th green. The horn to suspend play blew at 4:22 p.m., within five minutes of the incident, according to witnesses. At 5:45 p.m. came the decision not to resume play Friday.
Augusta National officials released this statement Friday afternoon: “Augusta 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 wind. The safety and well-being of everyone attending the Masters Tournament will always be the top priority of the Club. We will continue to closely monitor weather today and through the tournament.”
The falling trees also knocked branches off surrounding trees.
The sound of the falling trees was heard by those near the 12th hole.
Workers with chainsaws began to move the downed trees soon after the incident.
Second-round play also was suspended for 21 minutes less than two hours earlier. Because of the inclement weather, play was stopped at 3:07 p.m. and the grounds were to be evacuated. Players remained in place, and play resumed at 3:28 p.m.
Credit: Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com
Credit: Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com
Tiger needs to wait another day
Tiger Woods’ quest to keep his consecutive made-cut streak alive will have to wait another day.
Woods was at 2 over par through 11 holes in his second round when play was stopped Friday. Woods is tied for 50th and would make the cut if he holds or improves his position.
Woods has qualified for the weekend in 22 consecutive Masters, one shy of tying the record held by Fred Couples (1983-2007) and Gary Player (1959-82).
He has made the cut at 23 Masters, tying him with Billy Casper and Arnold Palmer for ninth. If Woods makes the cut, he will move into a tie for eighth with Tom Watson. Jack Nicklaus holds the record with 37.
“Last year was kind of – I didn’t know if I was going to play again at the time,” Woods said earlier this week. “For some reason everything kind of came together, and I pushed it a little bit, and I was able to make the cut, which was nice. I don’t know how many more I have in me. Just to be able to appreciate the time that I have here and cherish the memories.”
Adam Scott will make the cut and qualify for the weekend for the 14th consecutive year, moving him into 11th place.
Bad ending to the Day
Jason Day had it going early in his second round, including a chip-in at No. 11. After a birdie at No. 13, Day stood at 9 under, just two shots behind Brooks Koepka. He was 9 under when he came to No. 15. A drive to the left forced Day to lay up on the par 5. His third shot found the water, and Day ended with a double-bogey. He followed with bogeys at Nos. 16 and 18 to finish 5 under, dropping four shots in the last five holes.
“I’m actually very disappointed with how I finished,” Day said. “Being decently close to where Brooks was going into the weekend, you never know how it goes, and obviously going from 9 to 5 was a bit of a kick in the gut.”
Chilean duo qualifies for the weekend
Two Chileans made the cut at the Masters. Joaquin Niemann shot a 69 and enters the weekend at 4-under 140. Mito Pereira shot 2 under Friday and stands at even-par 142.
“It’s big for Chile,” Niemann said. “I don’t think we’ve had two players from Chile playing at the same time in the Masters, so that’s positive.”
Niemann is playing in his fourth Masters and has made the cut three times. Pereira, who tied for third at the 2022 PGA Championship, is competing in his first Masters.
“We’re obviously not here just to play, and I think we’ve got enough game to be competing,” Niemann said. “Hopefully we can keep fighting for more Masters in the coming years.”
-Staff writers Stan Awtrey and Chris Vivlamore contributed to this article.
About the Author
