Masters plans to have ‘limited number’ of spectators for April return

TOURNAMENT officials plan to allow a “limited number” of spectators to attend the Masters at Augusta this April.

No patrons were on site when the 84th Masters was staged in November, having been moved from its traditional date due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said: “The tournament will be conducted with similar health and safety standards to those instituted in November 2020. With these protocols in place, efforts are being made to include a limited number of patrons, provided it can be done safely.

“Following the successful conduct of the Masters Tournament last November with only essential personnel, we are confident in our ability to responsibly invite a limited number of patrons in April.”

Dustin Johnson will defend his Masters title from April 8-11.

Event

Meanwhile, Golf Ireland will soon begin searching for a new venue for this year’s Irish Amateur Open Championship after Galway GC voted on Monday to turn down its chance to host the event from August 12-15. Last season’s edition, which coincided with the club’s 125th anniversary, was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But following changes to the club council with the influx of six new committee members this year, a vote on hosting the Amateur Open was turned down by a narrow margin as there was unwillingness to give up the course for a week in high season.

The Island Golf Club in Donabate is scheduled to host the Irish Amateur Open in 2022 and 2023 following a major upgrade of its front nine by architects Mackenzie & Ebert.

However, it’s understood that Golf Ireland has many other candidates willing to stage the Irish Amateur Open this summer.