Getty Image / Ross Kinniard
Augusta National Golf Club, the home of the Masters, is maybe the best-kept golf course anywhere in the world. The course is kept in perfect condition, not a blade of grass out of place. Usually that’s an exaggeration, but not at ANGC, where they trim the edges of bunkers by hand.
And, at the beginning of the 2023 Masters, the course looked incredible. The trademark colors of the perfectly watered fairways, and the lighter-green greens was on display as players lit up the course in what may be golf’s most prestigious test.
But, the rain and wind started to come on Friday, even causing the toppling over of some trees, forcing a suspension of play.
But, the forecast for Saturday was downright awful. Still, they sent players who didn’t finish their round on Friday back out there at 8AM. At that point, the weather was fine, but near the end of the 2nd round, it was downright stupid, with drives going nearly 40 yards less than they would normally, and the wind causing havoc.
So, instead of doing the smart thing and postponing the 3rd round until tomorrow, where the weather will be nice and they can likely play 36 holes to finish the tournament on Sunday as planned.
Yeah, that’s not what The Masters did. Instead, players are out there playing their third round in a monsoon. Rain is forming puddles on fairways. Scoring is terrible. It’s a terrible way to decide a major when there are other options!
Look at these conditions.
Conditions at the Masters in Augusta this morning. Been watching for ten minutes and haven’t seen a smile yet. pic.twitter.com/tZ5VpzGElH
— JL Sinna 🐬 (@jlsinna) April 8, 2023
Masters weekend at Augusta. Today's viewing offers the therapeutic sound of steady rain ☔
Maybe we'll have a few days of that this summer 🙏 pic.twitter.com/CkLgo6vyWS— PROMAX AGRONOMY (@Promaxag) April 8, 2023
And, people aren’t happy that the golfers are out there, and think it’s ruining the Masters.
Playing in this rain really dilutes the spectre of the Masters. It's a shame. IMO, just push it to another two days.
— Mike Missanelli (@MikeMiss25) April 8, 2023
I can't remember the Masters ever having these cold, heavy rain conditions. Just terrible!
— Barry Ray (@barryray) April 8, 2023
And, at 3:15PM, play was suspended for the day.
Due to inclement weather conditions, the third round has been officially suspended for the rest of the day as of 3:15 p.m. EDT.
Further information will be announced once available.#themasters
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2023
ANGC made a total cluster-F of those one.
Brooks Koepka leads at -13, and Jon Rahm is in 2nd at -9.