New start time for The Masters is confirmed after the opening round was DELAYED due to heavy rainstorms at the famous Augusta National course in Georgia

A new start time for the opening round of The Masters has been announced after play was delayed due to heavy rainstorms.

Officials had earlier announced that all gate openings for the opening day of golf's first major of the year had been pushed back due to the severe weather.

They then confirmed that play would not get underway before 9am local time (2pm BST).

It has now been confirmed that play will begin at 10.30am in the US (3.30pm BST), two-and-a-half hours later than originally scheduled.

Thunderstorms and winds of up to 45mph had earlier been predicted for Thursday, leading to fears that play could be affected.

That has proved to be the case, although the weather is expected to improve heading into the weekend. 

Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia revealed he had been given a new tee time as he bids to reclaim the title he won seven years ago.

'Rain delays at @TheMasters, but we’re still going. My tee time - 11:42am EST,' he posted on X.

This year's Masters will see the return of Tiger Woods, five years on from the last of his 15 major titles, when he triumphed by one stroke at Augusta.

He has battled with injuries over the years, but has still insisted he is capable of competing for victory this week.

Rory McIlroy will also be looking to complete the career grand slam, having never won The Masters before.

McIlroy is a four-time major winner, and has tasted victory at the PGA Championship twice, the US Open and The Open, but it has been 10 years since his last major.