A drunken golf enthusiast has been arrested for attempting to sneak into Augusta National ahead of the Masters. Tickets for the legendary golf major are scarce, elusive and costly. This week, it will rank amongst the most exclusive events in the USA, with only 40,000 to 50,000 patrons permitted each day.

A four-day tournament badge is believed to cost around $525 (£396), but tickets are being flogged on resale sites for five-figure sums. Millions of golf fans must enter a lottery system in hopes of securing a ticket for the major, but few are fortunate enough to snag one. One golf fan has been officially charged with trespassing after sneaking into Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Department spotted the fan soliciting the ticket badges of spectators as they exited the North Gate of Augusta at the conclusion of Monday's practice round.

His attempts to acquire a ticket were swiftly detected by Augusta security staff and local officers, who instructed him to vacate the area.

The fan, who was also described as "intoxicated" by officers, returned to the area in a desperate attempt to secure a badge. Predictably, he was once again ordered to leave the vicinity.

However, after refusing to leave the area, police on site arrested him for criminal trespassing and transported him to the Charles B. Webster Detention Centre, where he was officially charged.

He was eventually released by officers after he paid a bail bond of $285 (£215).

Tickets for the Masters are like gold dust, with thousands of golf fans being left disappointed each year.

Series badges, which grant access to all three days as well as the practice events, are even more elusive than regular tickets.

It comes after the groupings and tee times were officially announced on Tuesday. Rory McIlroy will be paired with Cameron Young and Mason Howell for the first two rounds.

The Northern Irishman will tee off at 10:31am local time and 3:31pm BST on Thursday.

Scottie Scheffler will play alongside Robert MacIntyre and fellow US star Gary Woodland and will be the penultimate group to tee off, starting at 1.44pm local time and 6.44pm BST.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page.