A limited number of patrons will expectedly be allowed to attend the 2021 Masters at Augusta National, starting on 8 April.
The 85th edition of one of golf’s greatest traditional events will once again be held in its usual time slot, following last year’s Masters, which was held in November due to Covid-19.
Dustin Johnson claimed the coveted Green Jacket on that occasion but had to do so without any spectators in attendance the whole week.
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Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley on Tuesday confirmed that organisers are planning to allow limited attendance this time around, guided by standard health and safety protocols.
‘Following the successful conduct of the Masters Tournament last November with only essential personnel, we are confident in our ability to responsibly invite a limited number of patrons to Augusta National in April,’ Ridley said.
‘As with the November Masters, we will implement practices and policies that will protect the health and safety of everyone in attendance. Nothing is, or will be, more important than the well-being of all involved. While we are disappointed that we will be unable to accommodate a full complement of patrons this year, we will continue our efforts to ensure that all who purchased tickets from Augusta National will have access in 2022, provided conditions improve.’
Most golf events across the world have been staged in front of empty galleries since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.
The Masters will subsequently be one of the first competitions to welcome back controlled crowds if all goes to plan.
