Classic songs that you have hummed on repeat as a child have a way of reaching out to you unexpectedly as an adult. Remember the song, “Rain, rain go away, come back another day.”? Well, the song must have gone through the mind, in some shape or form, of the patrons who were present at the Augusta National Golf Course on Monday before they were asked to evacuate due to the adverse weather conditions. One of the patrons, who was disappointed at the early exit, was Michelle Wie West.
The former LPGA pro had gone to catch the practice rounds at the upcoming Masters but had to return disappointed after the weather caused disruption. She posted a story on Instagram to express her disappointment with a note that said, “Today was not the day for looking cute at Augusta.” In the story, she was wearing a jacket with her head covered, indicating that the weather was adverse and unfavorable.
Wie West was in attendance at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur as well, which she was when she walked the course for the first time. She was very excited about the layout of the course. “I must have said it a million times, but I was like ‘Wow, so slopey! Wow, so elevated!’. No. 10 was a lot more elevated than I thought. Two, I didn’t realize, like the downhill lies that they have on 2 going in. You see people just casually stopping golf shots on that green.” The LPGA Pro stated.
As a young amateur who burst into the scene, the one-time Major winner held dreams of playing the Masters. She worked hard and went all the way to the quarterfinals of the men’s 2005 U.S. Amateur Public Links, a now-defunct USGA event that had an exemption that allowed entry to the Masters.
Michelle Wie West, who dreamt of playing the Masters, walked Augusta for first time at ANWA https://t.co/LwoCS6Gw6C pic.twitter.com/VnxrYdSX8M
— Golfweek (@golfweek) April 6, 2025
Storms were causing severe chaos, and a warning horn was sounded for all the spectators to leave. This was around 11:25 AM local time. “We are disappointed our patrons could not fully enjoy today’s practice round, but the safety of everyone at Augusta National is our highest priority and was the determining factor in the decision to cancel,” Fred Ripley, the Augusta National Chairman, said.
The Masters have been disrupted by weather several times before. In 2023, three 100-foot trees fell due to the weather, causing play to be suspended. In 2005, the rain caused delay, forcing the first round to be suspended. Tiger Woods, who won the event, eventually expressed his sentiment about the weather. “That was a hard-fought week with the rain delays. I didn’t get off to the greatest of starts.” The golfer stated.
By 3 PM on Monday, tournament organizers announced the course would not open again and gave assurances that the ticket holders would be sent refunds in May and also promised them the chance to buy practice round tickets for next year. This proved to be the anticlimactic end to the opening day saga, which initially started with an announcement by the Masters on social media on Sunday.
The Masters Monday practice round saga
The Tournament organizers had initially released a statement that evoked concern among the patrons. “Due to expected inclement weather and safety concerns, patron gates will not open as scheduled for Monday’s practice round. All patron parking lots will remain closed until further notice. No patrons should approach Augusta National Golf Club until more details are released.”
They had mentioned that further updates would come in by 8 AM on Monday. And it turned out to be a positive announcement. They were opening the gates for the fans! “Given the current forecast, we will open ticket gates at 8 a.m. and patron parking lots are now open. We will continue to monitor the approaching weather. The grounds will remain open this morning as the weather permits”, the second statement read. Fans were filled with excitement. That was before the weather played spoilsport midway through the session, prompting the early exodus.
The forecast is expecting the weather to be much better on Tuesday, giving the fans a chance to catch their favorite golfers in action in a safer environment.
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