Natural order restored as spectators return to Augusta National

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Updated: April 6, 2021
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UGUSTA – Five months after a unique November Masters that was staged with virtually no spectators due to coronavirus concerns, a limited gallery of a few thousand has been allowed onto the hallowed grounds this week.

Perhaps about 7,000 fans were on hand, barely 15% of the crush normally allowed for practice rounds, but it made for an idyllic viewing experience for those lucky or well-connected enough to get through the gates.

While there are no grandstands, the pink azaleas and white dogwoods that provide such a pretty spring backdrop to famed Amen Corner are a familiar sight, even if the former are already fading from the dazzling pink of full bloom.

Players are certainly enjoying having patrons around, and even more so looking forward to hearing some roars echo through the whistling Georgia pines come Thursday’s first round.

“Even though there are a lot of people, it’s just amazing how many people this place can hold at a capacity because it still felt like not that many people,” 2013 champion Adam Scott told.

“More than anything it’s going to be nice Thursday through Sunday to see people out at the golf course.”

Reporting by Andrew Both; Editing by Lisa Shumaker/ Reuters