Masters 2019: Matt Wallace wins Par-Three to provide extra hurdle on Augusta debut as he takes on the curse
England's Matt Wallace has an extra hurdle to overcome in his bid to become the first debutant to win the Masters for 40 years after winning the Par-Three contest on the eve of the first major of the year.
A hole-in-one on the eighth helped 28-year-old Wallace match long-time leader Sandy Lyle's total of five under par and Wallace then won the title with a birdie on the third extra hole.
Since the pre-tournament contest started in 1960, nobody has ever become par-three and Masters champion in the same week, while Fuzzy Zoeller was the last player to win a green jacket at the first attempt in 1979.
Wallace and Lyle finished a shot ahead of Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer and amateur Devon Bling, who made a hole-in-one on the seventh. Ireland's Shane Lowry recorded an ace on the second and Mark O'Meara made one on the fifth.
"It got a little bit more serious than how the nine holes went and I guess I just I wanted to win this," Wallace said. "I want to break history somewhat."
Tony Finau made light of the sickening injury he suffered when celebrating his ace on the seventh last year, the American switching into a high-top shoe offering more ankle protection before hitting his tee shot this time around.
As well as the bulk of this yearâs Masters line-up, the field for the Par-Three was bolstered by the inclusion of past champions Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
Nineteen-year-old Devon Bling equalled the record for the youngest registered player ever to make a hole-in-one on the course.
Last year, Nicklaus' 15-year-old grandson, who was caddying for him, sunk a hole-in-one on the ninth hole, marking a memorable family moment in an event where one is as likely to see a toddler on the course as a major winner.
One-year-old Azalea, named after Augusta's 13th hole , caddied for her father, 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, and was an early crowd favourite as she toddled onto the green appearing completely at home on the course.
"The golfers are in their element but they're having fun," said Sean Neely, an Atlanta resident who has attended the Masters for 47 years.
Seeing players on TV "it's like seeing a movie star," said Pam Herzwuran, who has visited the Masters for seven years. Seeing them with their families makes them feel more accessible, she said.
"It makes it so normal."
PA and Reuters
