Spectators at the 87th Masters had a miraculous escape after three trees dramatically crashed to the ground during day two of the tournament.
At 4.21pm local time, moments before play was halted for a second time and amid whipping winds, patrons raced towards safety in the area between the 15th green and the 17th tee as the tight collection of towering Georgia pines toppled. Several individuals only narrowly avoided serious injury. Sergio García, who was on the putting surface on the 15th at the time, was among those to look on with amazement.
After the area was cleared greenkeepers with chainsaws arrived to break up the wood. The trees lay across turf in front of the 17th tee, rendering play impossible. Interest will naturally now surround the overall safety of this historic venue, with pine trees aged more than 100 years old scattered throughout the home of the Masters.
“Augusta National Golf Club can confirm that no injuries were reported from three trees that were blown over to the left of the No 17 tee due to wind,” said a tournament statement. “The safety and wellbeing of everyone attending the Masters Tournament will always be the top priority of the club. We will continue to closely monitor weather today and through the tournament.”
Three tall pine trees have unexpectedly fallen during The Masters golfing tournament at the 17th hole.
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) April 8, 2023
Luckily, no one was injured as golf spectators managed to move out of the way before the trees fell.#9News pic.twitter.com/gP0Lm0rZCh
Indeed, with heavy rain forecast for much of Saturday there is the strong likelihood of further disruption to the first major of 2023. A Monday finish, which has not been necessary since 1983, cannot be ruled out.
In 2014 a February ice storm damaged the iconic Eisenhower Tree on the 17th hole beyond repair. It was duly removed, much to the visible upset of then Masters chairman, Billy Payne. “I was in the Bahamas bonefishing,” said Payne. “I received the emergency call, got back as fast as I could.”
