The most important date in the golfing calendar is upon us, with The Masters getting underway at what is expected to be a firm and fast Augusta National.
They were the words used by Bryson DeChambeau, and no one pays more attention to what the weather is doing than "the Scientist".
Masters Forecast Weather Synopsis
The Masters Tournament released its latest weather update at 5 am EDT on Thursday, April 9, ahead of the first round - and, at the moment, it's looking really good for the whole week.
At this time, temperatures are currently in the upper 40s and will fall into the mid-40s by daybreak, leading to a chilly start.
High clouds will keep skies partly to mostly sunny, allowing temperatures to rebound into the low 70s in the afternoon.
Very dry air will remain in place, with relative humidity (RH) dropping to 20–30% each afternoon through the weekend as high pressure strengthens over the Southeast.
Mostly sunny conditions will persist through the rest of the week, with temperatures warming further, reaching the mid-80s by Saturday and Sunday.
As for round one on Thursday, here's a more detailed breakdown of the weather forecast.
Thursday (Round One) Weather Forecast
Those players teeing off early will see Augusta National in all its glory, with mainly clear skies.
However, expect to see players wearing additional layers, because it's going to be quite chilly for the first few hours.
The temperature will gradually climb to a high of around 73F, with winds getting up to about 15mph.
In summary, a pretty fine day to be taking a walk around Augusta National - the type of weather we can enjoy through our television sets, too.
7am |
Mainly clear skies |
45F, RH 65% |
NE 5-10mph |
9am |
Sunny, cool |
49F, RH 55% |
NE 7-14mph |
11am |
Cloudy, breezy |
59F, RH 50% |
NE 10-15mph |
1pm |
Partly cloudy |
66F, RH 45% |
ENE 8-14mph |
3pm |
Partly cloudy |
70F, RH 38% |
ENE 7-12mph |
5pm |
Mostly sunny |
73F, RH 30% |
ENE 7-12mph |
MASTERS WEATHER: REST OF THE WEEK
As for the rest of the week, it's going to get hotter - not so hot that it's too uncomfortable, hopefully, but hot enough for one or two extra applications of suncream.
Come Sunday, when the pressure is at its most intense, there will be highs of 86°F - so it's safe to say there's unlikely to be a Monday finish this year.
"If it's firm and fast, the greens are going to be even more difficult to hit than they already are," said DeChambeau.
"Looking at it from a perspective of hitting the big parts of the greens and sometimes giving myself 30-footers, even though you feel like you're losing a quarter of a shot, kind of sticking up for yourself and going, no, this is a great shot, hitting it over here and having my caddie be on that same level."
It sounds as those DeCheambeau is feeling encouraged by the weather forecast at Augusta, where he wilted on Sunday last year.
The two-time US Open champion added, "That's what I did at Pinehurst [US Open] that suited me so well.
"I was focused more on hitting in the middle of the greens. It may play in my favor."
Friday |
Sunnier and warmer |
Low 49F, High 79F |
ENE shifting SE 5-10mph |
Saturday |
Sunny and hot |
Low 52F, High 85F |
SE 4-8mph |
Sunday |
Sunny and hot |
Low 57F, High 86F |
SE 5-10mph |
