Masters will be played without patrons or guests
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Masters Tournament will go on Nov. 12-15, but without patrons.
Augusta National Golf Club made the announcement Wednesday, confirming what Mayor Hardie Davis predicted last week.
ANGC announced the postponement of the tournament in March.
“Since our initial announcement to postpone the 2020 Masters, we have remained committed to a rescheduled Tournament in November while continually examining how best to host a global sporting event amid this pandemic,” club and tournament chairman Fred Ridley said in a release. “As we have considered the issues facing us, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Masters always has been our first and most important priority.”
Ridley added that while the decision is disappointing, it’s incumbent upon Augusta National to make safety the top priority when conducting the tournament: “The guests who come to Augusta each spring from around the world are a key component to making the Tournament so special. Augusta National has the responsibility, however, to understand and accept the challenges associated with this virus and take the necessary precautions to conduct all aspects of the Tournament in a safe manner.
“We look forward to the day when we can welcome all of our patrons back, hopefully in April 2021.”
According to the club, all 2020 ticket holders will be guaranteed the same tickets for the 2021 Masters.
Players have weighed in on the move, like 1992 Masters champ Fred Couples: “I’ve only gone to Augusta once other than getting in there on the Sunday before the Masters, and it was the end of November. We teed off at 8 a.m. and I hit driver, 2 iron into the first green. The next day it was cold and windy and I needed a rescue.
“So I’m not sure what the weather will be like in early November, but I will say this, the greens were unreal and as good as any Masters I ever played. The fairways were a little thin, but we’re talking Augusta, usually, it’s an 11 out of a 10 when we play. I don’t think it will touch 70 degrees, so it will play extremely long and be a unique situation.”