Towering trees fall during second round of Masters at Augusta National, scattering patrons

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Strong winds felled at least two large trees during the second round of the Masters on Friday at Augusta National Golf Club, causing patrons and officials to run for cover as the pines toppled near the southwest corner of the course.

ESPN reported that there were no injuries.

The trees were left of the 17th tee and struck the ground close to the member’s tee box, blocking the fairway from the championship tees. They fell toward the 15th green and just to the east of the 16th green, a popular viewing spot for patrons. As the pines came crashing down, video footage showed Masters competitors Larry Mize, Min Woo Lee and Harrison Crowe looking on from the 16th green.

It’s unknown exactly when the trees fell, but it likely happened around 4:30 p.m. ET.

Play was suspended during the second time due to inclement weather at 4:22 p.m.; an earlier delay suspended play from 3:07 p.m. to 3:28 p.m.

While Friday morning brought mostly tame conditions, winds hovered around 15 mph in the afternoon and started gusting around 20 mph around 4 p.m.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Josh Berhow

Golf.com Editor

As GOLF.com’s managing editor, Berhow handles the day-to-day and long-term planning of one of the sport’s most-read news and service websites. He spends most of his days writing, editing, planning and wondering if he’ll ever break 80. Before joining GOLF.com in 2015, he worked at newspapers in Minnesota and Iowa. A graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn., he resides in the Twin Cities with his wife and two kids. You can reach him at joshua_berhow@golf.com.

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