Patrons try to stay cool during hot first round at Masters

Thursday’s hot weather forced John Futrell, of Chapel Hill, N.C., to leave the golf course an hour earlier than he planned. He found a bench in the shade near the concessions area to drink another iced tea.

“I’d rather have this than cold and rainy,” he said. “I’m used to hot and humid.”

Throughout the galleries, Masters Tournament patrons were downing cold drinks, eating ice cream sandwiches and using umbrellas as respite from the sun. Temperatures were just shy of 90 degrees by mid-afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Futrell beared the heat by skipping tree-to-tree to find shade while watching golf.

Alan Fierst, of Chicago, wasn’t used to the hot weather in Augusta. He, too, found a picnic table in the shade to sip an icy pink lemonade.

Gallery guards, restroom attendants and concession stand workers were reminding patrons to stay hydrated, Fierst said.

“It’s almost like this background murmur. ‘Stay hydrated. Stay hydrated,’ ” he said.

Fierst had two hats: a baseball cap and a wide-brim sun hat to protect his face from the sun.

SLIDESHOW: First Round Patrons