Sandy Lyle will have to head back out on the Augusta National course again this weekend to complete just ONE putt – as the threat of storms saw play halted at the Masters when the Scot was on the 18th green.
Lyle walked up the fairway on that final hole, clearly feeling the emotion. His 42nd career appearance at the Masters will be his final one and, as he was given a huge ovation while walking to the green, he turned around and removed his cap as a thank you for their affections.
He would have been expecting to hole out, go off to speak to the media and end his competitive golf career there. But mother nature had other ideas – heavy rain began to fall and the threat of thunderstorms meant players across the property were instructed to stop play. Just over an hour later it was confirmed play was to be suspended for the day.
It was the second such stoppage of the day on Friday – the first being a brief one. Jon Rahm threw his arms up in the air in frustration at the first one, which came moments after he chipped out of a bunker on the seventh hole to put his ball within 10 feet of the hole.
Lyle will not make the cut, meaning his final Masters appearance will end after he completes his second round. But that will not happen until later in the weekend with weather forecasts in Georgia warning of poor conditions for the rest of the day on Friday and on Saturday morning as well.
It means he will have to return to the course and put his ball down either tomorrow or on Sunday, just to potentially sink one putt before setting sail into retirement.
A statement from tournament organisers on social media read: "Due to inclement weather conditions, Augusta National Golf Club was forced to suspend play at 4:22 p.m. EDT and, subsequently, evacuated the grounds. Further updates will be announced once available."
And there was good reason for the stoppage. TV coverage and photos from Augusta showed several of the tall pine trees around the 17th hole had come down in the high winds, sparking an evacuation of the spectators still on the course. Sky Sports reported that no-one had been injured by the fallen trees.
"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," read a statement once the suspension of the day's play was confirmed. "The safety and well-being 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.
"The Second Round has been officially suspended for the rest of the day. Play will resume Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Ticket gates will open at 7:00 a.m. EDT as scheduled."
Brooks Koepka tops the leaderboard after the first two rounds and was safely home and dry in the clubhouse before the weather began to be a factor. His closest challengers are world number three Rahm and amateur Sam Bennett, enjoying a dream Masters debut.
