Watch large tree fall at Masters; 2nd round suspended
A scary scene unfolded at Augusta National on Friday, as three large pine trees fell near the 17th green during the second round of The Masters.
High winds were the apparent cause of the trees falling. According to the ESPN broadcast, no injuries were reported.
Tournament officials later confirmed that there were no injuries and that second-round play has been suspended until Saturday:
“I was talking to friends next to me and all of sudden we heard a crack,” Katie Waites, a patron from Charleston, South Carolina, told The Associated Press. “And there were three trees across the pond, and all of a sudden we saw them falling and everybody — it was just like ants. They were like, scattering just like ants from beneath. All three fell at the same time. And then I just grabbed my friends’ hands we were like, ‘Is everyone OK?’ And it was silent.”
Here’s video of one tree falling. You can see several patrons nearby:
Play was halted for the second time Friday and the course cleared of patrons due to inclement weather at 4:22 p.m. Eastern. Golf course workers quickly began clearly the debris with chainsaws.
Brooks Koepka leads the tournament at 12-under, having completed his third round before the weather delay.