AUGUSTA, Ga. — The traditional Par 3 Contest has been knocked out by COVID-19 regulations over the 2020 and 2021 Masters Tournament.
On Wednesday, Mother Nature took her turn at it.
With thunderstorms approaching the area around noon, Augusta National began closing the course at approximately 11:20 a.m. ET Play was suspended during Tuesday’s practice round at 10:55 a.m. ET due “to inclement weather conditions and safety concerns.”
Niall Horan of the band One Direction serves as caddy for the day for Rory McIlroy on the 9th green during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2015 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2015.
The Par 3 Contest was scheduled to begin at noon and runs through the afternoon, but weather forecasts are predicting rain and some thunderstorms. The contest is an anticipated event, for both patrons and competitors.
“It’s funny, when you don’t have children, the Par-3 seems like a bit of an afterthought, and then once kids arrive, it sort of becomes the highlight of the week in a way,” said Rory McIlroy, who is seeking his first Masters win. “So, yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It will be fun to get out there tomorrow and watch her run around.”
The Weather Channel forecast says thunderstorms will begin in Augusta around noon, with the potential for severe storms.
Rain is expected to continue into Thursday morning before clearing up around 8 a.m. There is just a 2 percent chance of rain Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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