The traditional Par 3 Contest at The Masters has been abandoned and the Augusta course closeddue to dangerous weather in the US.
The famous pre-tournament event has never been cancelled before in its 57-year history.
But severe weather struck onWednesday afternoon.
Tournament organisers the Augusta National evacuated the courseon on Wednesday morning because the storm threat was imminent.
The US National Weather Service predicts widespread, serious thunderstorms beginning early Wednesday across much of Alabama and Georgia and into the Florida Panhandle and southwestern South Carolina.
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He says tornadoes are likely and there's a strong chance of baseball-sized hail.
In Georgia, meteorologist Laura Belanger says about 75 percent of the state could experience severe weather around sunrise and see it ramp up after 2 p.m.
Belanger says affected cities could include Atlanta and Augusta the site of this week's Masters.
The Par 3 contest wass due to start at 5pm BST (or midday local time) to kick off the 81st Masters tournament.
The competition has become something of an unwanted prize.
No one who has won the Par 3 tournament on a Wednesday has gone on to win the Green Jacket on Sunday.
Last years contest was won by Jimmy Walker with other recent champions including Luke Donald in 2011 and Padraig Harrington in 2012.
Players often ask wives, girlfriends, children, friends or celebrities to wear the famous white overalls and be their caddies for the event.