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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The first round of the 88th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club was delayed by at least an hour Thursday because of inclement weather.
Thunderstorms moving through the Southeast were forecast to reach Augusta around 6 a.m. ET Thursday. Augusta National Golf Club officials said the first round wouldn’t begin before 9 a.m. ET and delayed the opening of parking lots and patron gates. Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp had been scheduled to tee off at 8 a.m. ET as the first group of the day.
Honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, who combined to win 11 Masters titles in 140 starts in the tournament, were scheduled to hit the ceremonial tee shots at 7:40 a.m. ET.
A strong band of heavy rain and thunderstorms, with wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph, along a cold front was forecast to hit Augusta from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET Thursday. Rainfall of 1½ inches to 2½ inches was forecast through Thursday evening.
Mostly sunny and warm conditions are expected from Friday to Sunday.