The first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National has been postponed until Friday due to heavy rain. It is the first time since 1939 that the entire opening day's play has been lost, and the first time since 1983 that an entire day's play has fallen foul of the weather, on this occasion the second round was washed out for the day.
After an initial delay on Thursday morning, it had been hoped that the first Major Championship of 2003 could get underway at 11.00am but Tournament Officials ruled that the Augusta course was unfit for play after more than three inches of rain fell on the Georgia area.
The first round will now begin on Friday at 7.30am in America (11.30am GMT) from both the first and tenth tees with the second round, again from two tees, tentatively scheduled to commence at 1.30pm in America (5.30pm GMT).
