It’s a tradition unlike any other, at the tradition unlike any other.
The annual Masters Par 3 contest held on the eve of the opening round of golf’s first major took place on Wednesday afternoon, with 61-year-old Sandy Lyle taking home the trophy in historic fashion at 5-under par. Lyle, who won the 1988 Masters, tied Padraig Harrington for the most all-time par 3 wins at three. He previously won in consecutive years from 1997-98.
Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer, Matt Wallace and 19-year-old U.S. Amateur runner-up Devon Bling all finished T-2 at 4-under.
There were four holes-in-one on Thursday thanks to picture-perfect tee shots from 1998 Masters Champion Mark O’Meara, Shane Lowry, Bling and Matt Wallace. Wallace’s ace was the 100th all-time at the event. Gary Player holds the record with four career aces in the par 3 contest.
After dislocating his ankle celebrating an ace last year, Tony Finau had some fun at his own expense, changing shoes at the scene of his fall on Wednesday.
Defending champion Tom Watson, playing alongside Player and Jack Nicklaus, finished T-10 at 2-under par.
