Augusta rain delays Masters start

[Uzi]

Augusta rain delays Masters start

Thunder and lightning delayed the first day's play at Augusta National, with the Masters set to start at 1730 BST.

Thousands of spectators had arrived for the scheduled 0805 local time (1305 BST) start, but they found most of the gates closed as the first storm struck.

An inch of rain was expected during the day, but the forecast is for the storms to then clear away and not return.

Players will now tee off from the first and 10th holes in rounds one and two in a bid to make up for lost time.

The opening group comprises Americans Jonathan Kaye and Ted Purdy, who are joined by Englishman David Howell.

Britons Ian Woosnam and Paul Casey are also among the early Thursday starters, as is Masters veteran Gary Player.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson and top contenders Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els are due out later.

BBC Sport.

[Rob H]

Can't wait for the live stuff tonight on beeb 2 and beeb 1

[Oxy]

This is one of the top sporting events of the year for me.

Something magical about Augusta (not in the rain though)

Lightening fast greens...almost unplayable at times. Love iT!

[Rob H]

It's the best Major out there. The most beautiful course in the world.

[Uzi]

Yep it is a great shame that the weather has to play spoilsport.

It seems that all the tournaments on US tour are being plagued by the bad weather.

[Rob H]

5:30 tee offs

[Uzi]

1720: Light drizzle has forced the start back by another half an hour, with the first players due to tee off at 1800.

[Uzi]

1800: The weather conditions are continuing to hamper proceedings with the start pushed back again until 1830.

[Geordie Ahmed]

keep raining, Golf is boring

[Uzi]

Well it may get boring watching sometimes, but so can a lot of other sports. I prefer to play golf than watch it.

[Uzi]

1830: Play finally begins after a delay of almost five-and-a-half hours. The rain has ceased but the breeze is stiffening.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Same here Uzi, i should have been more clearer, Golf is BORING to WATCH

[Uzi]

Geordie, have you tried playing golf?

[Geordie Ahmed]

Yeah i have BUT i dont understand the rules yet! my mate does so he does all the scoring, i just hit the ball

[Uzi]

OK, I try to play quite regularly and I enjoy it a lot. Definately better than watching on tv.

[Rob H]

I enjoy it too. I play every couple of weeks

[Oxy]

Golf is great-and addictive to play.

[Uzi]

Who do you guys think will win?

[Rob H]

Luke Donald will win it

[Rob H]

David Howell -5 with Dimarco

[Uzi]

1740: Heavy rain and threatening weather call a halt to proceedings.

[Uzi]

1345: Chris DiMarco birdies the second hole to break clear of fellow joint overnight leaders David Howell and Luke Donald.

1330: Play resumed in the second round with officials keen to make up for lost time.

[Rob H]

The Masters, Augusta
SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD:
(US unless stated) after

C DiMarco -6 4
D Howell Eng -5 10
M Hensby Aus -4 10
L Donald Eng -4 5
V Singh Fij -4 2
S Appleby Aus -3 2

Selected others:
A Scott Aus -2 2
K Triplett -1 10
R Goosen SA -1 5
P Mickelson -1 3
I Poulter Eng level 7
C Parry Aus level 4
T Woods US level 3


The Masters, Augusta
SELECTED SECOND ROUND POSITIONS:
(US unless stated) after
I Poulter Eng level 4
R Goosen SA level 3
D Clarke NI level 1
P Harrington Ire +2 3
MA Jimenez Sp +2 1
T Woods +2 1
B Langer Ger +2
E Els SA +3
S Lyle Sco +4 3
S Garcia Sp +5
P Casey Eng +6 5
JM Olazabal Sp +6 1
L Westwood Eng +6
I Woosnam Wal +8 7
G McDowell NI +8 4

[Uzi]

1435: Howell, DiMarco's closest rival, has a bogey six at the second to fall away and leave DiMarco two shots clear. At the same time, Woods moves closer with his second birdie of the day.

[Uzi]

1450: Howell promptly restores the deficit to just one shot as he follows his bogey with a birdie at the next hole.

[Uzi]

1455: Joint overnight leader Donald cards a bogey five at the seventh, his second in four holes, to slip to three shots off the lead.

[Uzi]

1530: Denmark's Thomas Bjorn is three under for the day through seven holes to join Vijay Singh and Australian Mark Hensby at four under and a tie for third.

[Uzi]

1543: Leader Chris DiMarco keeps up the pressure with another birdie at the ninth to edge to eight under, three shots clear.

[Uzi]

1556: David Howell keeps himself in contention with a third straight par as he moves through 15 holes having started from the 10th on Friday.

[Uzi]

1600: Phil Mickelson hoves into view with a birdie at the 16th, his second in a row after starting at the 10th, to join Luke Donald at three under.

[Uzi]

1603: David Howell drops a shot at the seventh, his 16th, to slip back into the pack at four under

[Uzi]

1632: Former US Open champion Jim Furyk throws his hat into the ring as he clambers to one under after 17.

1626: Tiger Woods is stalking his fourth title as he sidles to one under with a third birdie on the ninth.

1620: David Howell runs out of steam as he makes another bogey on his penultimate hole to slide to three under.

[Uzi]

1639: David Howell ends on 69 after dropping two shots in his last three holes.

[Uzi]

1654: Tiger Woods picks up his fourth shot at the 11th to reach two under.

1652: After nine straight pars from the 10th, Vijay Singh makes his first mistake with a bogey at the par-four first to slip back to three under.

[Rob H]

Bloody hell, Dimarco -8. If he goes on like this he'll be unstoppable.

[Rob H]

Woods ripping up the field -11 @ the moment. Watch out though for phil he's creeping up on the leaders