Terrifying video footage has emerged online of three trees falling beside the tee at the par-4 17th at Augusta National during the second round at the Masters.
Day two was suspended for the second time just after 4.20pm local time due to storms. Play was then called for the day at 5.47pm.
Two trees fell and a third fell and snapped beside the 17th tee area while the group of Min Woo Lee, Harrison Crowe (amateur) and Larry Mize were putting on the 16th green. It is Mize’s last competitive round at Augusta having announced his swansong from the April major before round one.
Lee, from Perth, told reporters briefly, “it was close, but we’re all good.”
Augusta National confirmed no injuries were sustained through the trees falling.
“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 wind,” the club wrote in a statement. “The safety and well-being of everyone attending the Masters Tournament will always be the top priority of the club. We will continue to closely monitor weather today and through the Tournament. 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.”
A witness, Matt, who was visiting from Los Angeles and requested his last name be withheld, told Australian Golf Digest that he believed the trees falling slowly was why no fans were injured.
“I was underneath the TV cameras on 16 green,” Matt said. “Two trees fell, then a third one snapped. It was crazy because it happened in slow motion, it took 15-20 seconds.
“Everyone was yelling warnings, so people scattered, I think that’s why nobody was injured. I was afraid someone was caught under it, but thankfully there were just chairs underneath. I ran over, and I was probably there 15 seconds after the trees fell over.
“I saw a few people who were really shaken up. If the trees had fallen quickly, people could’ve been injured. It was my first Masters and hopefully I’ll be back.”
Getty Images photographer Patrick Smith captured several pictures from the scene. ESPN announcer Scott Van Pelt reported that there were no known injuries to fans, but it has not been confirmed.
