Masters Tournament first round will begin at 10:10 a.m. with ceremonial tee shots

The first round of the Masters Tournament will begin at 10:10 a.m. at the Augusta National Golf Club with the ceremonial tee shot by past champions Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, with the first tee times for players starting at 10:30 a.m. off the first tee with Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp.

Play was delayed by a line of thunderstorms that went through the Augusta, Ga., area at around 6 a.m.

Patron games will open at 9:30 a.m.

The storm front was previously predicted to be more severe, with play not starting by around 1 p.m. There also were fears that it would be as bad as last year when wind in advance of a strong storm front near the 17th tee sent patrons scrambling for safety when three trees blew down. No one was injured but the round was quickly suspended for the day.

What's the Masters forecast for the rest of the week?

The good news is that with a field of 89 players, it won't be difficult to get back on schedule.

Count on the tournament finishing on time Sunday under marvelous conditions.

Here's the rest of the forecast for the week:

• Friday: Sunny, high of 72 degrees, winds out of the west, 10-20 mph.

• Saturday: Sunny, high of 77, winds out of the WNW 5-10 mph.

• Sunday: Sunny, high of 84, winds out of the WSW 5-10 mph.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Severe weather in Augusta delays start of Masters Tournament until 10:10 a.m.