AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tom Hoge had one in all 5 holes-in-one on the day — together with two by Eire’s Seamus Energy — en path to profitable the Par 3 Contest at Augusta Nationwide on Wednesday.
Hoge, who aced the eighth gap over Ike’s Pond, completed at 6-under 21 on the quick, nine-hole format within the informal, fun-filled occasion that is without doubt one of the most beloved traditions at Augusta Nationwide.
Hoge obtained a crystal vase for the hole-in-one, a crystal bowl for his profitable spherical of 6 below, and a few steep historical past to beat: No winner of the Par 3 Contest, which matches again to 1960, has gone on to win the Masters.
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“I made just a few birdies early after which the hole-in-one on 8, in order that was cool to see that go in,” Hoge stated after strolling off the lately renovated Par 3 Course within the northeast nook of the property. “Only a enjoyable day trip right here this afternoon.”
LIV Golf’s Bubba Watson, who additionally had an ace on No. 4, completed 1 stroke again in a share of second place.
Watson will make his first Masters begin since becoming a member of LIV Golf final July when he and 17 others from the Saudi-backed circuit tee off Thursday within the opening spherical of the 12 months’s first main.
“Hold hitting the ball nicely,” the 44-year-old stated when requested about his aspirations for the remainder of the week, which has loads of rain within the forecast. “I used to be hitting the quick irons nicely on the Par 3 right here. Been hitting it good all week. With the climate coming in, no one is aware of what is going on to occur.”
The occasion, the place gamers can use family and friends as caddies, has proved to be a bad-luck omen for the primary Masters match. Because the Par 3 Contest’s inception in 1960, no winner of the occasion has gone on to win the Masters in the identical 12 months.
Energy completed the Par 3 Contest in type, hitting back-to-back aces on the ultimate two holes of the quick course. He joined Claude Harman (1968) and Toshi Izawa (2002) as the one gamers to perform the feat.
“Clearly to get one was particular,” Energy stated, “however to get the second was a bit surreal.”
The 5 holes-in-one Wednesday brings the all-time complete for the occasion to 106.
Reuters contributed to this report.
