Early storm fear start could see ‘animal’ course

SAFETY fears over expected severe storms prompted Masters officials to advance the final round start with trios off two tees and Tiger Woods predicts a “testy” Augusta National if winds howl.

Woods, a 14-time Major champion trying to win his first Major since the 2008 US Open, will play alongside Italy’s Francesco Molinari and US compatriot Tony Finau in the last threesome off the first tee at 9:20am (1320 GMT).

“Usually the reward is for playing hard and doing all the things correctly, you get a nice little sleep in come Sunday, but that’s not going to be the case,” Woods said.

“We’ve got to get up early and get after it. It will be interesting to see if that wind comes up like it’s forecast – 24-32kph around this golf course is going to be testy.”

Finau also expects Augusta National to be formidable if leaders are finishing as ill winds begin to blow.

“Whether it’s wet or it starts to blow and it rains, it’s going to turn into a whole different golf course,” Finau said.

“Hopefully with the tee times moving up we’re able to play some clean golf so that weather doesn’t play too much of a factor.

“But if it starts to blow, starts to get windy, starts to rain, the golf course is an animal to play when it’s in tough conditions.”

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced on Saturday the course would open at 7:15 and play would start at 7:30 from the first and 10th tees.

Severe thunderstorms are predicted in the vicinity of the famed course for late Sunday afternoon, when leaders would normally be battling for the Green Jacket – prompting the safety move for spectators and players alike. — AFP