The Love-In that has broken out at Augusta National Golf Club this week ratcheted up another level today in the wake of the annual Par 3 contest.
The inimitable threesome of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson set the crowd on fire with scintillating play from the first tee ball onwards. Watson started with four consecutive birdies and Jack and Gary had their share as well, with Jack at -3 after the fourth. 
We’ve become accustomed to this spring time stroll down memory lane, where three all-time greats suspend time, and transport us back to our own younger days, where they were golf’s kings of the hill. It’s an illusion but a great kick, with no harm done, except to heighten the sense of loss when the inevitable occurs- when one, or more, of their number doesn’t make their tee time.
Tom Watson golfed his ball today, that little Callaway sphere that’s painted like a soccer ball. He took the Par 3 title, along with The MASTERS crystal that goes to the champ, but, more importantly,he’s got bragging rights to lord over The Bear and The Black Knight for the next year.
Impressive as Watson’s performance was he was overshadowed by another in his group. It wasn’t Gary or Jack, but Jack’s grandson GT (Gary Nicklaus Jr.) who, along with his sister Nina, was sharing caddy duty for their granddad.
On the 9th tee fifteen year old GT calmly took his stance and pured a wedge to the right side of the sloping green. The ball seemed to settled in then the fun began as it picked up momentum toward the front of the green. With Gary Player coaxing the ball to the pin, we watched in slow-motion as the the improbable but now seemingly inevitable result occurred – the ball slipped into the cup, Hole-in-One!
Thrilled as GT and everyone else there was, The Golden Bear was the happiest guy around. It brought tears to his eyes and a catch in his throat. The greatest MASTERS champion of all time told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi, that this was the greatest moment he’s ever experienced at Augusta.
What a shot! What a day! Want a Grandpa!
Listen in as @garyplayer narrates Gary Nicklaus Jr.'s hole-in-one on No. 9 of the Par 3 Contest. #themasters pic.twitter.com/9NTARoy3gE
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 4, 2018
Related Articles
