Severe thunderstorms expected for opening day of Masters

STATE COLLEGE, PA - April 5, 2005 -

AccuWeather.com meteorologists said today that

thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday's

opening round of the 69th Masters in Augusta,

Georgia. Conditions are expected to improve

throughout the weekend, but the meteorologists

don't expect Thursday to be the only rainy day

during the first major tournament of the year.

Just two years after the first round

of the Masters was postponed until Friday,

Thursday's weather might be severe enough to

disrupt the tournament schedule. The

thunderstorms could begin early in the morning

before play is scheduled to start and could last

on-and-off at least through the early afternoon,

providing 1-2 inches of rain according to

AccuWeather.com meteorologists.

A shower or thunderstorm is also in

the forecast for Friday, but the severity and the

duration will not match that of Thursday's storm.

With this storm there is still potential to

temporarily halt the round. Saturday will be

mostly dry with highs in the 70's and a slight

chance of some rain popping up late in the

afternoon or early evening. Sunday will be the

nicest day of the tournament with the clouds

finally clearing out and plenty of sunshine with

highs again in the 70's.

Storm delays are becoming regular

part of the PGA tour, and the forecasted rain on

Thursday will make the Masters the ninth of 15

tournaments to be hit by a weather delay this

year. It won't be the first time the Masters has

endured such conditions either, with rain

delaying or halting play many times over recent

years.

Last year's Masters first round was

halted for two hours and ten minutes

In 2003 rain washed out all of the play on Thursday

Rain left 38 players stranded on the

course during the second round in 2002

Bad weather stopped the third round of

the Masters for two hours in 2000

In 1998 and 1999 rain and darkness were

responsible for an early ending to the opening

round

Despite all the rainy weather, the Masters has

not been forced to a Monday finish since 1983.

Golf fans and attendees of the

Masters are urged to monitor AccuWeather.com for

the latest forecasts and updates on the weather

conditions at the Masters.