[Golf Topic] 'Masters Ticket' Plummets "Because of COVID-19?"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○…The 'Masters ticket' is plummeting...

StubHub, a U.S.-based sports and concert ticket trading site, reported on the 12th (Korean time) that "tickets for the first day of the Masters on April 9 are being traded at $1,458." On the trading site SeatGeek, listings priced at $1,080 have even appeared. Compared to $3,616 in 2016, $3,211 in 2017, and a soaring $4,475 in 2018 when Tiger Woods (USA) returned after three years, the atmosphere is unusual.

Practice round tickets, which are most popular on Wednesday, have also dropped from $1,270 last year to $650, nearly half price. This is due to the recent spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. and the economy freezing with stock prices plummeting. The Masters does not officially sell tickets. The 40,000 'Patrons' were finalized in 1972, and replacements are only made when a member passes away. Some vacancies were filled in 1978 and 2000, but now even a waiting list is not accepted.

Buying scalped tickets is the only option. Every year during Masters week, so-called 'ppikki' (scalpers) holding signs saying 'Looking for Tickets' line up at the entrance on Washington Road to the golf course. Nowadays, online sales dominate. Prices are beyond imagination. A 'four-day badge' costs $6,500 (7.8 million KRW), and a one-week 'free ticket' approaches $9,000 (10.8 million KRW). Prices rise as the tournament approaches. However, this year, the Masters has been hit hard by COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.