AUGUSTA, Ga. — Brooks Koepka went out early Friday morning and was able to finish his round. He signed for a 5-under 67.
It’s unclear if Mother Nature will allow the entire field such an opportunity.
“I think maybe my tee time with the weather coming up, I think I might be able to squeak out a few more holes than everybody else before it starts dumping (rain),” Koepka said Thursday. “I would say that’s probably the biggest advantage I’ve got going for me right now.”
Forecasts all week have called for at least a 90 percent chance of rain on Friday and 99 percent on Saturday. Augusta National moved Friday’s second-round tee times up 30 minutes in an effort to get ahead of thunderstorms expected to begin around noon.
Masters 2023 leaderboard: Get the latest news from Augusta
Is it raining at Augusta National during the Masters?
Yes, raindrops began to pick up at Amen Corner Friday around 1:45 p.m. A weather warning has been posted on the golf course.
The sun was out for a few hours into the afternoon, but clouds have moved in and winds have increased around Augusta National. According to Accuweather.com, nearly a half-inch of rain is expected to fall between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Play will be halted if thunderstorms and lightning strikes are close to Augusta National.
“It’s just hard to say what’s going to happen, right,” said Jon Rahm, who shot an opening round 65. “Every time we’ve had bad weather here, when it’s as warm as it is, it’s usually a thunderstorm, so we’re not really playing.
But when it comes, goes through, it softens up the golf course and it gets a little more score-able.”
2023 Masters third round Saturday forecast
Saturday’s weather is expected to potentially alter the ability for play. If golfers are on the course, conditions will likely create a difficult competitive environment. Periods of thunderstorms and rain are expected Saturday, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s and strong winds, according to Weather.com.
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