Tiger Woods now faces the likely prospect of playing part of his first round on Friday after the two-and-a-half-hour delay due to adverse weather at Augusta.
The 15-time major champion was originally scheduled to tee off in the afternoon groups at 1.24pm local time (6.24pm BST).
He will also be a part of the morning group on Friday with his current tee time set for 10.18am.
The late-early turnaround for Woods led to heavy criticism from some golf fans with Woods admitting this week that his body is always hurting.
Tiger Woods faces a late start on Thursday
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Woods said: "The body's just -- the things that just flare up.
"Again, the training that we have to do at home, it changes from day-to-day basis. Some days I just feel really good, and other days, not so much."
The 48-year-old has played just one full round of competitive golf this year after withdrawing on the second day of the Genesis Invitational back in February.
He still feels confident about his chances of winning a sixth green jacket this week.
"If everything comes together, I think I can get one more," Woods said confidently.
However, he's already been dealt a significant setback with thunderstorms forcing a long delay to the start of the first round on Thursday.
Play eventually got underway at 10.30am local time, pushing every tee time back two-and-a-half-hours.
It now likely means Woods will be forced to play some of his first round on Friday in a huge test of his physical fitness.
Augusta delayed entry to the grounds
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Woods' group, along with Jason Day and Max Homa, are now set to tee off at 3.54pm local time (8.54pm BST).
The sun will set over Augusta at 7.56pm ET on Thursday, meaning Woods may only be able to complete the first nine holes.
Local weather forecasts indicate that there won't be anymore bad weather for the rest of the week in Augusta.
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Sky Sports Golf’s Wayne 'Radar’ Riley feels the conditions may actually suit Woods now.
He said: “I think Tiger will be fine.
"He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t think he could win and it is humid, warm and sticky.
"That is great for Tiger’s ailments.”