Historic victory for Tom Watson as legends turn back time

Three legends of the game, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, with more than 30 Major titles between them, turned back the clock yesterday (4 April 2018) when they put on a show of utter short-game brilliance.  The Masters Par-3 Contest is just one of the many great traditions upheld at Augusta National.  Yet the 2018 edition of this fun event, on the eve of the first Major Championship of the year, was exceptional.   And to top it all, the youngest of the trio, 68-year old American Tom Watson, lifted the title for the second time in his illustrious career by shooting six birdies.  The ‘gentleman of golf’ took just 21 strokes to complete the nine holes.

 

It was another Tom, England’s Tommy Fleetwood who had looked certain for victory in the Par-3 Contest held the day before the 82nd edition of the Masters.  The 27-year old winner of last year’s ‘Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex’ was sitting pretty in the clubhouse on 5-under before the ‘golden oldies’ got a grip on the contest.  Belgian’s Thomas Pieters (yes, another Tom!) was also in the running later in the day.  He eventually tied for second spot with Fleetwood.

 

It must be said, that probably none of these players is that disappointed about missing out on victory.  Up until now the winner of the Par-3 Contest has never gone on to win the Masters Championship in the same year.  A sort of jinx prevails.

 

 

Family buzz at Augusta

 

Never before has there been such a buzz leading up to the main event.  With wives and children dressed up in the traditional white caddy overalls and sporting Augusta green caps, they made charming caddies for the day.  Some were even invited to take part on some holes including a young lad from the crowds.  Yes, the entertainment factor was huge this year.  What a brilliant way to encourage youngsters into the game by letting them see that golf is not always serious, but also fun!

 

Legends give young kids on the block a treat

 

The legendary trio of Americans Jack Nicklaus (78), the ten year younger Tom Watson and South Africa’s Gary Player were determined to teach the ‘young kids on the block’ a trick or two.  Nicklaus got to 4-under after another birdie at the 6th.  Player, still swinging the club effortlessly at the age of 82, was also in the hunt just one shot behind.

 

 

“It’s great to encourage older people to play and think: I can play golf at 80!”

Jack Nicklaus & Gary Player

 

 

With three holes to go, the fun warming-up contest for the Masters was sending shock waves through the crowds at Augusta, and around the world via satellite television.

 

Sam Snead had had the honour of being the oldest Masters Par-3 Champion since 1974 when he won the contest at the age of 61.  It looked as if his record was about to be battered by someone at least seven years older than him and possibly even a player 21 years his senior!  The legends of a former golden era were proving that age is just a number.  Just as in their hay days, they were thrilling the crowds with their delicate touch around the greens.

 

Tom Watson, the 1977 and 1981 Masters Champion, opened with four birdies, made another at the 7th to get to 5-under, and then nearly holed his tee-shot at the 8th where he had just a tap-in for his sixth birdie of the day.  Showing what a phenomenal short-game the South African has, he then narrowly-missed his birdie-putt at the final hole to shoot 21 with just eight putts.

 

  

 

Young Nicklaus steals the show

 

It was another member of the Nicklaus family that stole the show on the final green.  The 15-year old grandson of Jack Nicklaus (pictured above), ‘G.T.’ is his nickname , was caddying for his ‘Golden Bear’ grandpa during the Par-3 Contest when he was invited to tee-off at the 9th.  Earlier in the week, Jack Nicklaus had suggested to G.T. that he could well make a hole-in-one at the 9th and asked if he would like to play.

 

And so it was, dressed in his Masters caddy attire, that he remarkably holed his shot for an ace.  The crowds went wild.  The buzz was electrifying.  Proud grandpa had to fight back the tears before he could attempt to hole his own putt for a share of second spot.

 

“A hole-in-one on the biggest day in the world is fantastic!”

Jack Nicklaus talking about his grandson’s ace at Augusta.

 

 

Alas, G.T.’s ace will not be recorded as an official hole-in-one, but what does that matter?  The moment will be engraved in Gary Nicklaus Junior’s memory forever.  Jack could not have been more proud.  And the rest of us?  It’ll be a long time before we forget this day too.  Amazing!

 

Spare a thought for Tony Finau.  Hopefully, the American has fully recovered from his joyous jumping antics as he ran towards the green in celebration of his hole-in-one yesterday.  He stumbled whilst running backwards which resulted in a dislocated ankle.  Ouch – now that’s not what you need on the eve of your Masters debut!

 

Today, the serious business begins at Augusta National in Georgia, US where the best golfers in the world gather, among them last year’s winner Sergio Garcia from Spain, Rory McIlroy (NI), and Americans Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and even Tiger Woods.  The 82nd edition of the Masters Championship (5-8 April) promises to be epic.  Enjoy the next four days!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  (l-r) Gary Player, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and his caddie Gary Nicklaus jnr being interviewed after the historical 2018 Masters Par-3 Contest.