Play was suspended at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia on Friday after a massive pine tree suddenly fell into a crowd of people who were watching the second-round golf action, narrowly missing a crowd of spectators who could have been killed or severely injured if it had fallen several feet in a different direction.
As storms swept through the area, the bad weather hit hard at Augusta National Golf Club, the picturesque setting for the tournament, one of the sport’s premier events with this year’s edition being the 87th time that the finest players in golf hit the links in pursuit of the coveted green jacket.
The tree, which has been reported to be around 100 feet tall, was one of a trio that fell on the property, suddenly collapsing on the 17th hole in front of – and nearly on top of – stunned fans who were watching the action as golfers on the nearest green halted their play to watch the scene unfold.
The freak incident was broadcast live and the video of the monstrous tree falling has predictably gone viral on social media.
Fortunately, nobody was injured and play was halted at 4:22 p.m. EDT as the heavy rains, wind, and lightning moved in.
Due to inclement weather conditions, Augusta National Golf Club was forced to suspend play at 4:22 p.m. EDT and, subsequently, evacuated the grounds.
Further updates will be announced once available.
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023
“Augusta National Golf Club can confirm that no injuries were reported from three trees that were blown over to the left of the No. 17 tee due to the wind,” The Masters announced in a statement posted to Twitter. “The safety and well-being of everyone attending the Masters Tournament will always be the top priority of the Club, which will continue to closely monitor weather today and through the Tournament.”
#themasters pic.twitter.com/QI16LEw3hQ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023
“The Second Round has been officially suspended for the rest of the day. Play will resume Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Ticket gates will open at 7:00 a.m. EDT as scheduled,” the tourney’s statement read.
One video posted to Twitter captured the moment from the 16th green where golfer Sergio Garcia halted his play and stared at the falling tree with the announcers not missing a beat.
well THIS was terrifying pic.twitter.com/qfIm2w4zKW
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) April 7, 2023
“It sounded like a grandstand blew over, super loud,” Garcia said. “Two trees fell down from the roots and took another one on the way down. People scattered around them but there was one woman that the trees fell around her and somehow she didn’t get hurt. Thank God.”
Shots from different angles show the terrifying moment from other perspectives.
Really lucky no one was hurt, love #themasters but that was really scary pic.twitter.com/8lZvlWaRkp
— Marc Kerrest (@mkerrest) April 7, 2023
#UPDATE: More shocking video from a different angle shows the tree almost crushing a crowd of people at the masters tournament in Augusta Georgia this took place at the 17th hole pic.twitter.com/i6iy9YSEns
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 7, 2023
“We were cresting the fairway on 15. We thought it was a scoreboard or a grandstand,” player Sahith Theegala, said of the tree falling, making his first Masters tourney a memorable one. “We were hoping it wasn’t something that hit anybody.”
“I was talking to friends next to me and all of sudden we heard a crack,” said spectator Katie Waites who is from Charleston, SC, ESPN reported. “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.”
The aftermath of the bizarre incident as course personnel surveyed the fallen trees was also captured on video by ESPN, clearing the debris using chainsaws in preparation for Saturday’s play.
(Video: YouTube/ESPN)
Twitter reacted to the terrifying moment and the Easter weekend miracle that nobody was injured, let alone killed.
Did anyone see those 3 big pines fall at the Masters – and everyone jumped out of the way just in the nick of time.
That could've killed 20 people – so lucky.
— Catturd â„¢ (@catturd2) April 7, 2023
I don’t watch the Masters, but holy moly, they really dodged what could have been a highly tragic accident. A tree falling on someone is instant death pretty much 100% of the time.
— Chris Dokish (@ChrisDokish) April 7, 2023
If the rest of the world did ANYTHING as fast as The Masters ground crew is removing this tree we could get shit done.
— Kathryn Gator (@kat22an) April 7, 2023
wow (Patrick Smith / Getty) pic.twitter.com/w643skFqxz
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) April 7, 2023
Can joke about it now since nobody got hurt but if a massive Augusta National pine tree falls on you and you survive, that’s gotta at least guarantee you lifetime tickets the Masters, right?
— Two Inches Short (@TwoInchesShort) April 7, 2023
Whoever wrote the script to have a massive tree fall during the masters, bravo. pic.twitter.com/n4R7CtNzeB
— Lord Cup (@jewcup) April 7, 2023
Heading into Saturday’s play, Brooks Koepka sits atop the leaderboard at 12-under with all 36 holes completed.
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