Umbrellas replaced azaleas and the whirring of a drone filled in for the chirping of birds when the first fall Masters teed off at Augusta National.

Augusta Masters

Sung Kang, of South Korea, walks with his caddie along the 13th fairway during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Augusta, Ga.

Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Darkness and drizzle greeted Hall of Famers Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus for the honorary opening tee shots in the early dawn hours. The tournament was postponed from April because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ceremony is usually a fan favorite at Augusta, with crowds waiting for the gates to open and then rushing to find a spot along the first tee box and fairway.

No fans are allowed at this year’s event except for the players’ significant others and coaches, along with Augusta National members.

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