TEE-TIME TALES: Gnomes are must-have item at Augusta, but what piece of merchandise has already sold out? As Niall Horan is spotted heading in only one direction and Jason Day’s clothing choice raises eyebrows
- Huge queues have stretched their way outside the Masters merchandise shops
- One Direction star Niall Horan watches with the crowd on Thursday
- Jason Day has raised eyebrows over his baggy trousers and Malbon vest
Earlier this week, Tee-Time Tales reported how leprechauns were the must-have item for customers at Augusta National.
However, there is now a new craze in the shops around the famous course: Masters sunglasses.
Shades featuring various designs of iconic Augusta landmarks are selling out quickly.
The specimens offered are priced at $39 and include ‘The Hogan Bridge’, ‘Florals’ and ‘Azalea’.
The Hogan Bridge was the first to be out of stock and with nice weather forecasts for the rest of the tournament, the glasses will once again be a nice earner for the Augusta bosses.
Gnomes are the must-have purchases at Augusta National’s merchandise stores
Masters-themed sunglasses also sold out quickly during the tournament
Sunglasses with the design of the iconic Hogan Bridge are also in high demand
Augusta’s customers show respect
Much has been made of the deterioration in golf crowd behavior across the Atlantic following some raucous scenes at previous events.
Amid wild scenes at the Phoenix Open in February, 54 people were arrested, with 211 thrown out.
Witnesses reported a series of staggering incidents, including claims that some had sex on the course.
One fan performed a ‘snow angel’ in a bunker, while others flew and slid through mud hills.
Such scenes thankfully did not occur in Augusta, where patrons, as you would expect, have been respectful and well-behaved during the practice days and the first two rounds of the competition.
One Direction watch further
Niall Horan only went in one direction and that was to follow Rory McIlroy.
The pop singer owns a global management and marketing company for some of the sport’s leading names and is a great friend of the Northern Irishman.
Horan was also spotted chatting with Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
The One Direction star’s bandmate Harry Styles has also been spotted on the Augusta trail.
One Direction duo Harry Styles (left) and Niall Horan (right) were seen in Augusta this week
McIlroy started his day one over par and hit two bogeys on his front nine on Thursday
Jason Day raises eyebrows
While Tommy Fleetwood received plenty of praise for his smart cardigan, the same can’t be said for Jason Day, whose clothing choice is raising eyebrows this week.
The 36-year-old Queenslander was the subject of much online discussion after taking part in a practice round in a tank top that some compared to a pack of cigarettes, while his baggy trousers led to jokes about ’90s rapper MC Hammer on Thursday.
Day has a deal with luxury golf fashion brand Malbon, which is known for its daring approach.
Jason Day has raised eyebrows at the Masters for his fashion choices, with this cardigan
Fans also questioned the baggy pants he wore during his opening round
Nicolai Hojgaard’s sensational first round 67 was the best by a European on their debut
Ryder Cup star leads the way
Danish sensation Nicolai Hojgaard’s first round 67 was the best first round score by a European on debut.
The 23-year-old, who was part of last year’s Ryder Cup winning team, equaled the efforts of David Gilford in 1995. Former English amateur champion Gilford from Crewe finished in joint 24th place.