Tim Clark Aces Par 3 Tournament At Masters

09/04/2009 04:43

Augusta, GA (Sports Network) - Tim Clark aced the ninth hole to shoot five-under 22 and win the 50th annual Par-Three Tournament at the Masters on Wednesday.

Clark, the 2006 Masters runner-up, follows South African countryman Rory Sabbatini as winner of this event.

The bad news for Clark is that no player had followed a win at the Par-Three by winning the green jacket in the same year. Thirteen Masters champions have won the Par-Three Tournament, but none has won both the same year.

The last three winners -- Sabbatini, Mark O'Meara and Ben Crane -- of the Par- Three tournament missed the cut in season's first major.

Clark, who has never won a regular PGA Tour event, was tied for the lead headed to the final hole on the 1,060-yard Par-Three course. He hit his tee shot past the hole and spun his ball back into the hole for one of three official aces on the day.

The other holes-in-one belonged to John Merrick on No. 2 and Greg Norman on No. 6. Gary Player also knocked one in the hole on the ninth, but it was for par after his first tee shot on the hole found water left of the green.

Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal shared second with amateur Jack Newman at three-under 24.

The big threesome of the day belonged to the group of Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The "Big-3" combined for 13 Masters titles.

Player will end his run at 52 consecutive Masters tournaments played this week. He owns the record for most consecutive Masters played.

Nicklaus made some early noise with back-to-back birdies, but he ended up being one of 48 players that did not post an official score. Nicklaus had his grandson, who was also his caddie, sink the final putt for a two-under 25.

Palmer will hit the ceremonial first tee shot around 7:50 a.m. (et) Thursday.

Tournament participants, non-competing past champions, and honorary invitees are invited to play on the Par-Three course, which was built in 1958.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

It was great to see the big three – Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus playing together again yesterday afternoon in the Par 3 contest. And - I guess we know who's not winning the Masters this year, right Tim Clark?