Masters officials refuse to comment on why three 100-foot-tall pine trees fell near the 17th tee in Augusta — with multiple tests underway after the horrific accident.
Masters officials declined to comment on why three 100-foot-tall pine trees were smashed to the ground—barely avoiding the terrified crowd.
Amid harrowing scenes on Friday, panicked agents were sent scrambling for cover as drama unfolded near the 17th tee.
Miraculously, there were no fatalities, but as play began on Saturday after a cleanup, Augusta’s famous hierarchy failed to respond to questions.
sportsmail She realizes that multiple tests were performed on Friday night after the disturbing incident that was captured on TV.
As play began on Saturday morning, the three regions involved were snapped.
Masters officials declined to comment on what caused the three 100-foot tall pine trees toppled
Television cameras at The Masters captured the terrifying moment a tree fell on shepherds in Augusta
The damage was evident on the 17th tee, with long parallel marks in the usually virgin ground.
A green absorbent compound used to keep the walkways dry filled two of the holes on which the trees stood while pine straw covered the third hole. It was breezy but the wind wasn’t strong when the trees fell.
One patron appeared to be incredibly lucky, as footage appeared to show two trees falling on either side of them. It is not yet clear what caused the trees to fall.
Experts told this outlet that pine trees often fall when other nearby trees—that used to protect them from the wind—have been removed.
Multiple Augusta sources said that trees are often removed or moved.
Veteran Larry Meze, who on Saturday completed his final run at the Masters, was on the 16th green when the trees fell. (I was) shocked and scared. I’ve never seen anything like this on a golf course.”
“It’s just a miracle that no one was hurt.” The 64-year-old described the sound as “tremendous”.
He added, “Suddenly I heard it and looked around and saw trees. Maybe they were at such an angle that they came down, and I saw people scatter. I’m thinking, Oh my God, people, get out of there.
The terrible moment occurred shortly before play was suspended due to electrical storms
Stunning photos show fans’ seats under a pine tree, but fortunately no one was hurt
On Friday, following the suspension of play, Augusta National confirmed in a short statement that no injuries had been reported. There was no further communication.
The gates opened at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and despite the pouring rain, customers poured in.
“We knew we were coming here today, and we were kind of like, ‘Oh this is really scary,’ but you’re concerned about people’s safety,” Monica Petrick of South Carolina told the Augusta Chronicle.
We’ll see what happens here today. We’re not worried, we have life insurance and the beneficiaries are ready to go. So we are ready.
