Spectators probably won’t attend this year’s Masters

Spectators probably won’t attend this year’s Masters

According to the Reuters news agency, spectators may not be able to attend this coming year’s Masters, after already being given the green light.

After assuring spectators they would be able to attend the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, organisers announced a delay to their ticketing process. This came in an e-mail to stakeholders on Tuesday.

Augusta National Golf Club was all set to welcome fans for the April tournament. A plan to ensure the safe re-introduction of spectators to golf had been deliberated over and measures put in place. Since the last tournament was played behind closed doors, both the club and its outsiders were keen to have patrons clap eyes on a real-life swing.

The email Augusta read:

"As planning continues on how to stage the 2021 Masters Tournament safely and responsibly, we would like to inform you that Augusta National is delaying the ticket process for Patron Series Badges, which traditionally begins Jan.

“Our intention is to communicate our decisions for the 2021 Masters to all patrons of record by the end of January. No further action is needed with your account at this time."

Augusta has not responded to any questioning as to whether this delay will become permanent. But given that COVID-19 infection rates have not lowered significantly throughout Georgia, the United States, or indeed the World, we can only assume that this delay is for good - unless there is some material change.

That said, the Augusta National Chairman is very keen to get spectators back to the game. Before the start of last month’s Masters (played behind closed doors), he expressed a hope that the 2021 "tournament in April [would] be more normal than it is now".