Rain doesn't dampen Masters patrons' enthusiasm

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Raindrops fall on a Masters umbrella on No. 18 during the practice round. The rainshower stalled the action for about a half-hour, then the sun returned.

A nearly 25-minute downpour didn’t dampen enthusiasm much at Tuesday’s Masters Tournament practice round, though it did make conditions slippery.

A 75-year-old Southern California man, part of a group of fathers and sons, slipped on the wet grass while walking toward the main scoreboard. As guards directed patrons away from the slippery area, a doctor determined the man might have broken his wrist, said Darren Herman, a member of the group from New York.

Herman had bought an umbrella earlier in the day and stayed dry during the rain. Those without umbrellas or raincoats huddled under tree canopies and in restroom and concession areas.

Last year’s Monday practice round was rained out, and patrons were given refunds and the opportunity to return this year. In 2012, 1.4 inches of rain and winds of nearly 40 mph helped topple a tree onto the bathroom next to the No. 16 green.

A few minutes of rain wasn’t going to put a wet blanket on the fun for patrons Wilma Erskine and Jane Allen, of Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Standing under the big oak tree by the clubhouse, which slowed the drops slightly, Erskine said the two women will be here all week and are looking forward to watching Rory McIlroy.

“As long as there’s an Irish winner,” Allen said.

Scott Blevins, also huddling under the oak tree, said he didn’t mind the shower.

As the sun dried the sports apparel that Blevins markets and was wearing, he said he was looking forward to golfers resuming the practice round.

“It’s fine,” he said. “It’s all good.”

SLIDESHOW: Tuesday's Rain