The Masters tournament was hit by a terrifying incident when three large pine trees fell down due to high winds and stormy weather. Spectators near holes 16th and 17th managed to narrowly escape injury amid the falling nearby trees.
The Masters confirmed that no one was injured, but "the second round has been officially suspended for the rest of the day. Play will resume Saturday morning at 8:00 am (12pm BST)". A statement from the Masters also stressed that Augusta National Golf Club will continue to closely monitor the weather for the safety and well-being of who attends tournament.
"I was waiting for the next group to come up to the tee and it fell maybe eight to 10 chairs to our left. I stood up and screamed and thought, 'Is it going to fall on me?' It fell to the left of us, and it was so scary. If the wind had been blowing a slightly different direction, we might have got hit," recalled Megan Hill, an eyewitness.
Masters ground staff immediately began to cut the fallen trees with chainsaws after players and spectators were taken off the course.
This was the second time play had been suspended due to the storms, following an earlier threat of lightning at the course. Due to the storm alert officials moved all starting times up 30 minutes in the hopes of getting the second round in as scheduled.
The Masters Tournament is the first of four major golf tournaments. It is held annually on the course of the National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Since 1949, the champion is presented with a green jacket, which must be returned to the Augusta National one year after his victory.