Masters Final Round Tees Off Amid Historic Weather Delay
Masters Final Round Tees Off Amid Historic Weather Delay...
The 2026 Masters Tournament's final round is underway today after an unprecedented weather delay pushed Sunday's action to Monday. Augusta National officials made the rare decision following torrential rains and dangerous winds that made the course unplayable yesterday.
This marks just the third Monday finish in Masters history, with the last occurring in 1983. Tournament leaders Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy will resume their battle for the green jacket under partly cloudy skies at Augusta National Golf Club.
The delay has created scheduling headaches for players, networks, and fans alike. CBS scrambled to adjust its broadcast plans, while many spectators had to rearrange travel plans to witness the conclusion of golf's most prestigious major.
Social media is buzzing with reactions to the unusual Monday finish. Many fans are calling it a "bonus golf day," while others lament missing work to watch the dramatic conclusion. The Masters app saw record traffic this morning as fans checked updated tee times.
Weather remains a factor today, with light winds expected to challenge players on Augusta's notoriously tricky greens. Tournament officials say the course drained remarkably well overnight, though some areas remain softer than usual.
Scheffler holds a one-stroke lead over McIlroy entering the final 18 holes. The pairing has drawn comparisons to the legendary 2011 Masters duel between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Golf analysts predict record television ratings for the unusual Monday finish.
Augusta National members made the rare decision to sell limited Monday-only grounds passes to accommodate fans who couldn't attend yesterday. The secondary market for these passes reportedly reached over $1,000 each by mid-morning.
The weather delay has also impacted players' preparation for next week's PGA Tour event. Several contenders, including Scheffler and McIlroy, are scheduled to compete in the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island starting Thursday.
This year's Masters has already seen record merchandise sales and concession revenue despite the shortened schedule. Tournament chairman Fred Ridley praised the grounds crew for making the course playable so quickly after Sunday's downpour.
As the final groups make the turn, all eyes are on Amen Corner - holes 11, 12 and 13 - where many Masters tournaments are decided. The unusual Monday finish adds another layer of drama to golf's most storied event.
