Wallace faces the curse of Masters in England after eliminating Lyle for par-three victory
Wallace played the par-three tournament alongside girlfriend Chelsie Joce2019 MastersDates: 11-14 April Location: Augusta NationalCoverage: watch highlights of the first two days for uninterrupted live coverage of the final rounds on BBC Two, with up to four live streams online. Live radio and text commentary of all four days on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sport Extra, BBC Sport website and mobile app. All the details
You've all heard of the Augusta National par-three contest curse, right?
The one who sincerely fear the players. In 58 previous tours of Wednesday's pre-Masters mini-tournament, no winner has continued to claim the Green Jacket the following Sunday.
That could explain why the English 2016 champion Danny Willett shot the flag far away from the flag. last hole – he was in the last group on the track, three on the bottom and two on the lead.
However, a little naivety of fellow countryman Matt Wallace, one of his game partners, may have cost him the chance to win this week.
The course is just over 1,000 meters and has two ponds in the middle with the holes that cross them, offering the clients spectacular lookout points with views of different holes at the same time
The Irish Shane Lowry hoisted his daughter above his head after his hole in a
And they are there in their thousands. Some seek shelter from the warm afternoon sun under giant Georgia pines, others falter on the edge of the ponds in their Masters approved seats.
Despite the crowds, it is a largely quiet and peaceful corner of Augusta National. Peacefully, that is until 1998, champion Mark O & Meara, makes the first of four holes-in-one.
The roar is short but loud and turns briefly to see where it comes from.
There are similar roars to greet hole-in-one by the Irish Shane Lowry on the second, who is celebrated by hoisting his bewildered daughter high above his head.
American amateur Devon Bling took the photo of his life on the seventh and could not have high-five enough patrons, while Wallace kissed his ball and threw it at the fans after holing out on the eighth – the 100th ace in the history of the tournament.
From behind the seventh green I look defensively Master Champion Patrick Reed beats his wedge to 20 feet. There is hardly a murmur. These clients want pin locators.
Open champion Francesco Molinari is behind in the group, playing with the English duo Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton. He knocks one closer and is warmly welcomed as he walks to the green, carrying his young daughter, who clearly has had enough of this wave of malarkey.
"Is that the man who won the British Open?" asks a pattern on my left hand. I have a strong urge to correct him. "It & # 39; s The Open. The. Open."
"Yes, guess what his name is," his friend asks. "I can't remember, Italian guy, Molly-something, these three, however, beat us in the Ryder Cup."
Poulter is the only one who has asked to stop on the way to the eighth part. There are photos to pose for and flags to sign. However, there is no shouting or shouting. Respectful requests are the order of the day, with thanks to follow.
Jack Nicklaus played the par-three event with his grandson as a caddy.
Those who really want to see the patrons are the legends. Jack, Gary and Tom. Nicklaus, Player and Watson. What a trio. A combined age of 231, with 11 green coats and 35 majors between them.
The crowds suddenly swell on every hole, patrons flowing down the hill of the famous Augusta National clubhouse, eager to catch a glimpse of the retirees. And they are the only ones who received generous applause regardless of the blow they made.
They are still as competitive as ever. Nicklaus watches in disbelief while a birdie putt shoots by on the eighth. Player with an excited hop after his approach to the second comes close. Defending champion Watson comes on top with a two-digit score, although that will not win the day.
And then there are those who are closer to the beginning of their career. Americans Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler. What a trio. A combined age of only 80, but only a green jacket and four majors between them.
The par-three tradition is strong among them. Thomas picks a boy from the crowd and lets him go in seventh place and then sends him away with three signed balls, which he stumbles and falls back to his parents on his way.
The winner? Step forward at Wallace and stop 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle in a play-off.
Wallace makes his Masters debut and no first-timer has won around Augusta since Fuzzy Zoeller 40 years ago.
That alone can be broken and if not enough, he now comes face-to-face with the curse.
