By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Augusta

The gates to Augusta National were closed to the public for the first time in 20 years on Monday after bad weather disrupted the build-up to this week's US Masters.

Almost an inch of rain fell on the course on Monday morning during a violent electrical storm and more thunder and lightning was expected this afternoon.

The last time gates did not open due to bad weather during a scheduled day was Friday, April 8, 1983.

"We are disappointed that our patrons could not enjoy today's practice round," said Hootie Johnson, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club. "However, our first concern must be safety."

Spectators with tickets for Monday will be sent refunds next month and given preference for the purchase of 2004 practice round tickets.

It is a further blow to the tournament's finances, already suffering from the loss of advertising revenue due to the row over the club's all-male membership.

Martha Burk, chairwoman of the National Council of Women's Organisations, plans a high-profile protest on Saturday - although it has been toned down in the wake of the war in Iraq - and urged corporate America to drop its support of the tournament.

The club retaliated by telling the Masters sponsors - IBM, Coca-Cola and Citigroup - that it would not require their participation in 2003 and the tournament will air without commercials.

That is believed to have cost 7million USdollars (£4,485,000) and Monday's loss of revenue from both tickets and merchandising will also prove costly.

The usually packed club shop was virtually deserted this morning with the first weather warning issued just as the gates were opening.

After a torrential downpour and thunder and lightning the weather did ease for a while - Nick Faldo taking advantage to practice his putting - but more bad weather soon moved in.

The forecast for the early part of the week is similar with better weather expected by Friday.

By then Tiger Woods will hope to be firmly on course for an historic third straight Masters title and fourth green jacket as he continues his comeback from knee surgery late last year.

The world number one is a 7/4 favourite to claim an unprecedented treble, something only two players have had the chance to achieve before.

Jack Nicklaus failed to make the cut in 1967 after winning the previous two years, and Nick Faldo finished joint 12th in 1991, five shots behind winner Ian Woosnam, after winning back-to-back play-offs in 1989-90.

"It's something that I know has never been done before and I'm certainly looking forward to it," said Woods earlier this year.

"It's going to be one heck of a challenge but hopefully one that I'll be prepared for."

Woods' preparation included missing last week's BellSouth Classic in nearby Atlanta, but there are no doubts about his recovery from surgery.

He won three of his first four events this season, including the World Matchplay and an 11-shot victory in the Bay Hill Invitational despite battling food poisoning.

That was his fourth straight victory in the event, putting him alongside Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen as the only players to win the same event four times in a row.

Leading the challenge to Woods will be world number two Ernie Els, himself recovering from injury after hurting his wrist hitting a punchbag.

Els made a similarly flying start to the year, winning the first two events on the US Tour and the Heineken Classic in Australia, setting scoring records on both the US and European tours in the process.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn will not be among the field however, the Dane pulling out on Monday for family medical reasons.

Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie are scheduled to play a practice round at 9am on Tuesday, weather permitting, Lawrie taking Montgomerie's place in the BellSouth Classic when his fellow Scot pulled out and delighted to secure a top 10 finish with a closing 68.

European number one Retief Goosen finished third in the defence of his title with a closing 65 and is in good shape as he attempts to go one better than his second place behind Woods 12 months ago.