Streelman claims unwanted Par 3 crown
Kevin Streelman did what no golfer should do on the eve of the Masters, winning the Par 3 contest after a play-off with Camilo Villegas.
The American, who has missed the cut on two of his three starts at Augusta, finished at five under to go into extra holes with Villegas who made it courtesy of two holes-in-one.
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Despite the hoodoo of the Par 3 winner never having gone on to slip into the Green Jacket the victory was particularly sweet for the two-time PGA Tour winner.
Streelman, whose daughter spent time in intensive care after being born, decided he wanted to make a difference in a child’s life and give them a trip to the Masters. So he contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation and got in touch with 13-year-old Ethan Couch, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable but benign brain tumour, and asked him to caddy for him.
The biggest cheer of the day came when Jack Nicklaus recorded his first hole-in-one on the Augusta property, knocking in his tee shot at the 4th and he could have had another when he hit the pin shortly after.
Walking to the 9th green Nicklaus passed the ESPN booth where Andy North and Curtis Strange had a word with the 18-time Major winner over who was buying the drinks later on.
“I know what happens when you make one of those. I’ll see you tonight.”
Nicklaus joked: “Send me the bill.”
For Tiger Woods it was a first Wednesday appearance since 2004. His children, Charlie and Sam, were on his bag while his girlfriend Lindsey Vonn chaperoned the pair.
His daughter Sam, in true Masters tradition, took over the short putting duties on the last three holes, making all three tiddlers.
Rory McIlroy also warmed up in relaxed fashion with One Direction’s Niall Horan on his bag and the singer got to hit a shot on the famous Augusta property, only to snap hook a short iron into the water.
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Mark Townsend
Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game
