Thu Apr 10 09:46:47 2008

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Masters starts an hour late

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Augusta, GA (Sports Network) - The start of the 72nd Masters was delayed one hour Thursday due to dense fog.

Four-time Masters champion Arnold Palmer struck the ceremonial opening tee shot just before 8:00 a.m. (et), but the first group of 2003 PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel and 2003 British Open champ Ben Curtis was delayed until 9:00 a.m.

This was the first delay since 2006 when round three was delayed by thunderstorms. The last time there was a delay during round one was in 2005 when rain and thunderstorms caused a lengthy stoppage in play.

The last time the start of the tournament was delayed came in 2003. That year, play was initially halted for two hours, 50 minutes and players were re-paired to go off the first and 10th tees. However, the round was cancelled for the day as the weather worsened.