Pros have to find ways to kill time

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Charles Howell III and Luke Donald sat around a TV set watching arm wrestling. Darren Clarke took a nap. Ben Crenshaw read a book. Stephen Ames hit the pro shop to buy souvenirs with the rest of the masses.

With rain delaying the Masters again Friday, players scrambled to find something — anything — to do.

“You can’t go home because the traffic is so bad,” Nick O’Hern said. “I went to the PGA van to work out and read the newspaper.”

The tournament was delayed 5 1/2 hours Thursday, and another 3 1/2 hours Friday before play was suspended. Some players haven’t even started their second round.

“I warmed up three or four different times,” Mark O’Meara said. “That’s very disheartening for players and for fans. Everybody wants to get out on the golf course.”

Instead, they’re all trying to find new ways to kill time.

Ames, a first-time Masters participant, headed to the pro shop with his wife, Jodi, shortly after play was halted so he could fill “tons” of souvenir requests.

Ames looked more like a tourist than a golfer as he meandered through the shop carrying hats and checking out shirts, belts and clubs.