Masters EVACUATED: Fears for golf tournament as 20 TORNADOES strike

REUTERS/EPA

TORNADO WARNING; Augusta has been evacuated AGAIN

Bosses at Augusta in Georgia have been forced to warn fans that the competition may have to be "suspended" after the course was evacuated today.

The grounds had already been shut off by golf chiefs on Monday – cancelling the pre-tournament par 3 competition.

"We are in the area of a tornado warning and we are shutting the course down," an official said.

"The course will be shut down for the entire day."

The official Masters Twitter account wrote today: "Gates will open as scheduled. Due to threat of severe weather mid-morning, be advised that play may be suspended and the grounds evacuated."

TWITTER

DELAYS: The forecast is looking bleak over Augusta

EPA

PRACTICE: Brit champ Danny Willett made it into the course briefly on Tuesday

“Be advised that play may be suspended and the grounds evacuated.”

The Masters

At least 20 tornadoes smashed through northern Georgia on Monday leaving a trail of destruction.

Shocking photos show homes destroyed, trees collapsed and cars flipped up and down the state.

Meteorologist David Nadler told US __news station WSB-2: “When the wind got up underneath the roof, and pulled it, it also pulled part of the concrete wall on the back side of the building.

“Estimated max winds probably around 90 miles per hour, which makes it a low EF-1.”

Storm Doris smashes Britain

Thursday, 23rd February 2017

Storm Doris is causing disruption across the UK today

1 / 22

NBC

TORNADO: A home destroyed in Georgia on Monday

REUTERS

SUSPENDED: The tournament may face more weather woes

On Monday, the par 3 tournament at Augusta was cancelled for the first time since the competition began in 1960.

Winds of up to 25mph were found to be hitting the course and severe hail storms were scheduled for this evening – putting doubt of any play happening on Wednesday.

The Par 3 contest is due to start at 5pm BST (or midday local time) to kick off the 81st Masters tournament.

No one who has won the Par 3 tournament on a Wednesday has gone on to win the Green Jacket on Sunday.