Weather Forecast is Ominous for 2017 Masters

Post by Golf Writer Kieran Clark

Advertisements for the Masters will invariably showcase a sun-drenched paradise of green and bright flowers, with Augusta National being manicured and hand-crafted to within an inch of its life resulting in the perfect stage for this age of high-definition television. However, there have been years when the skies in Georgia were dark and menacing, with weather delays not exactly unheard of throughout the long fabled history of the season's first major.

It looks like the 2017 edition may be one of those occasions, however, with the long-term weather forecast appearing to be fairly ominous for those hoping to a barrage of birdies made under the sun. Rain has been predicted throughout the practice days and into the first round, with thunderstorms a possibility on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Updated Masters-week forecast: pic.twitter.com/Q6Gm5bSsv8

— Mike O'Malley (@GD_MikeO) March 27, 2017

Golf Digest's Mike O'Malley shared the projections seven days before the tournament week begins. It raises questions about how a softer course will play, and who that may favour. Perhaps a certain four-time major champion, a man who has taken advantage of similar conditions before, who only requires the green jacket to complete the career grand slam, as leading golf journalist Alan Shipnuck noted.

Rory! https://t.co/L0IJ0ozJow

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) March 22, 2017

Aside from the potential winner, how could the forecast storms influence the week itself? The Augusta Chronicle's Scott Michaux is the man for  insight each year, and he provided a stark prediction that this year's Masters could take longer than most.

@GD_MikeO I smell a Monday finish.

— Scott Michaux (@ScottMichaux) March 27, 2017