Jump directly to the content
Pictured
GOLDEN OLDIE

Masters 2018: Tom Watson rolls back years to win Par 3 Contest as golf stars relax with loved ones at Augusta

American, 68, shoots six-under to clinch nine-hole event as likes of Rory McIlroy, Ricky Fowler and Bubba Watson hit course with nearest and dearest

THE world's top golfers were joined by their Wags and kids at the traditional the Par 3 Contest at Augusta on the even of the US Masters.

Stars hit the course with friends and family, with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Ricky Fowler and Bubba Watson among the contenders relaxing alongside loved ones.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks with his wife Erica Stoll
32
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks with his wife Erica StollCredit: Reuters
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa reacts as his wife Nel-Mare Oosthuizen putts
32
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa reacts as his wife Nel-Mare Oosthuizen puttsCredit: Getty Images

Veteran golfer Tom Watson claimed the prize, which is considered a curse as the winner has never gone on to win the Green Jacket in the same year.

But it was the sight of the wives and girlfriends, and their kids, in the traditional white overalls worn by caddies that drew all the attention.

McIlroy joked around with his wife Erica Stoll, who he wed last year in a huge ceremony in Ireland.

Allison Stokke, girlfriend of Rickie Fowler, delighted the crowds and still managed to look great in the unflattering overalls.

 

Erica Stoll, wife of Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (not pictured) looks on
32
Erica Stoll looks on as Rory McIlroy plays the Par 3 ContestCredit: Getty Images
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hands a pin marker to his wife Erica Stoll
32
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hands a pin marker to his wife Erica StollCredit: Reuters

Englishman Fleetwood, 27, had looked set to win until two-time Masters winner Watson – 41 years his senior – pipped him to the title by shooting seven-under.

Fleetwood may be a relieved man that Watson beat him by a stroke.

Since the Par 3 event event started in 1960, no winner of it has ever gone on to triumph in the main event four days later.

Watson played the course with pals and fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks with his wife Erica Stoll
32

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks with his wife Erica Stoll

Erica Stoll, wife of Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (not pictured) looks on
32
Erica Stoll looks on as Rory McIlroy plays the Par 3 ContestCredit: Getty Images
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hands a pin marker to his wife Erica Stoll
32
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hands a pin marker to his wife Erica StollCredit: Reuters
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. chips onto the first green as his girlfriend Allison Stokke watches
32
Rickie Fowler of the U.S. chips onto the first green as his girlfriend Allison Stokke watchesCredit: Getty Images
Allison Stokke, girlfriend of Rickie Fowler of the United States (not pictured), walks the course
32
Allison Stokke, girlfriend of Rickie Fowler, walks the courseCredit: Getty Images - Getty

 

Tommy Fleetwood of England plays his shot from the ninth tee
32
Tommy Fleetwood plays his shot from the ninth teeCredit: Getty Images
Rickie Fowler of the United States and girlfriend Allison Stokke walk together
32
Rickie Fowler and Allison Stokke walk together on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images

And it was Nicklaus' 15-year-old grandson, Gary, who lit up the course with a hole-in-one on the final that moved his grandfather to tears.

Watson, who lost a play-off for the 2009 Open Championship at the age of 59, told ESPN: "I won it one other time a long time ago and of course I didn't win the tournament that year.

"But since I'm not playing the tournament I said 'Let's go for it this year.'"

Former champion Danny Willett helps his son Zachariah putt on the fifth hole
32
Former champion Danny Willett helps his son Zachariah putt on the fifth holeCredit: EPA
Danny Willett of England and his son Zachariah James Willett take part in the Par 3 Contest
32
Englishman Danny Willett and his son take part in the Par 3 ContestCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Bubba Watson of the US (L) and Webb Simpson's caddie Paul Tesori (R) hoist Tesori's son Isaiah in the air on the fifth hole during the Par 3 Contest
32
Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson's caddie Paul Tesori hoist Tesori's son IsaiahCredit: EPA
Bubba Watson looked to be enjoying himself the day before The Masters
32
Bubba Watson looked to be enjoying himself the day before The MastersCredit: Getty Images
Watson lets a youngster hit of the tee in the par 3 contest
32
Watson lets a youngster hit of the tee in the par 3 contestCredit: EPA
Bubba Watson of the US wears green sneakers with pink Azaleas on them from a companby called 'G/Fore' as he plays on the fifth hole
32
Bubba Watson of the US wears unusual footwear during the relaxed contestCredit: EPA

A tearful Nicklaus, who won 18 majors during his career, rated his grandson's ace the number one moment of his career.

He said: "What I did doesn't make any difference to me. But watching your grandson do something special, I have a few tears.

"We talked about three days ago and said 'GT do you want to hit the ball on nine?' and he said 'sure'.

Wesley Bryan of the US, Bubba Watson of the US and Webb Simpson of the US react on the ninth hole during the Par 3 Contest
32

Wesley Bryan, Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson on the ninth hole

Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa stands on a green with wife Nel-Mare Oosthuizen
32
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa stands on a green with wife Nel-Mare OosthuizenCredit: Getty Images - Getty
South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel shake hands
32
South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel shake handsCredit: Getty Images
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa reacts to his wife's putt on the 9th hole
32
Louis Oosthuizen reacts to his wife's putt on the 9th holeCredit: Reuters
Justin Rose of England walks off the first green with his two children
32
Justin Rose of England walks off the first green with his two childrenCredit: Reuters
Pat Perez of the United States kisses his wife Ashley
32
Pat Perez of the United States kisses his wife AshleyCredit: Getty Images
A golf patron wears a hat covered in old Masters passes during the par 3 contest
32
A golf patron wears a hat covered in old Masters passes during the par 3 contestCredit: Reuters
Jack Nicklaus of the United States smiles on a tee as patrons cheer
32
Jack Nicklaus smiles on a tee as patrons cheerCredit: Getty Images
Golf greats Gary Player (L) and Jack Nicklaus walk up to the first green
32
Golf greats Gary Player  and Jack Nicklaus walk up to the first greenCredit: Reuters
Gary Player celebrates as he walks off a tee with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson
32
Gary Player celebrates as he walks off a tee with Jack Nicklaus and Tom WatsonCredit: Getty Images
on Rahm of Spain walks with Sir Nick Faldo of England
32
Jon Rahm of Spain walks with Sir Nick Faldo of EnglandCredit: Getty Images
ordan Spieth of the United States walks with his caddie and brother Steven Spieth
32
Jordan Spieth walks with his caddie and brother Steven SpiethCredit: Getty Images

"I said, 'well I think you're going to make a hole-in-one'. It's his first.

"You always want the best for your kids and your grandkids and to watch a grandkid come along and knock in a hole-in-one on the biggest venue in the world.... wow. I mean what a day."

GT Nicklaus added: "This is probably my favourite week of the year and this is a special tournament, golf is a sport that I love and for that to happen is just unbelievable."

Justin Rose of England chips on the fifth hole
32
Justin Rose of England chips on the fifth holeCredit: EPA
Dustin Johnson played in the Augusta contest on Wednesday
32
Dustin Johnson played in the Augusta contest on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images
German duo Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer on the fifth hole
32
German duo Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer on the fifth holeCredit: EPA
Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU