Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images. Pictured: Corey Conners at the 2019 Masters.
When it was first announced that this year’s edition of the Masters Tournament would be the first ever held in November, past weather patterns suggested temperatures could be anywhere from the 80s to the 50s in Augusta.
As it turns out, the temps won’t be as much of a factor as the precipitation.
With rain potentially in the forecast for every day this week, expect a course that will play longer and softer than it usually does during the tournament’s regular slot in the April part of the schedule.
Fortunately, this won’t affect the entire course. Augusta National famously features a SubAir system underneath the greens, which can remove any moisture and keep the speeds to tournament conditions.
This week’s weather will max out at right around 80 degrees for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds, then dip to the upper 70s for the four tournament days. There is at least a 35% chance of rain from Thursday through Sunday, however, with Friday’s second round likely getting the worst of it, currently projected with an 88% probability for some precipitation.
There appears to be negligible wind for the opening two rounds that could potentially stiffen for the weekend rounds, which currently call for gusts of up to 13 mph on Saturday and 20 mph on Sunday.
Due to earlier darkness in November, competitors will tee off both the first and 10th tees during the first two rounds. The final round is expected to end around 3 p.m. ET, leaving enough time for a sudden-death playoff should it be necessary.