Masters 2020: Augusta hotel prices rocket for October fuelling speculation over new date for golf tournament
HOTEL prices in Augusta, Georgia in October have skyrocketed and led to speculation that the Masters could be played then.
The annual golf showpiece at the Augusta National was set to take place on April 9-12 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A new date for the competition is yet to be agreed or announced, but some bizarre hotel bookings have led to talk over a new date.
According to , the Springhill Suites in Augusta costs $895 (£756) for a room for one night in October compared to $103 (£87) next week.
And the Residence Inn also costs $999 (£844) for the same period, compared to the $139 (£118) it normally sets visitors back.
The Ecco Suites, meanwhile usually costs $79 (£67) but is available for $650 (£549) in October.
It's unclear whether the Masters will even go ahead this year, but that hasn't stopped golf fans from snapping up hotel rooms.
Rory McIlroy has also thrown his support behind playing the Masters in the autumn rather than postponing it altogether.
The 30-year-old has won four majors but is still looking for his first Green Jacket to complete the set.
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He told SiriusXM: "A Masters in the fall, October time, I think it would be pretty cool. It would be a very different look than what you usually see at Augusta.
"It gives us some room for manoeuvring, depending on what happens over the next few weeks.
"I think it's definitely a possibility if they want to get the 2020 Masters in, I think that could definitely be a possibility. I'm sure they can make it happen if they want it to happen."