Alex_narey
GM Staff
Unbelievable - Gary Player has just hit a hole in one the ninth and final hole!!
THE MASTERS - Par 3
- Thread starter Alex_narey
- Start date
mono217
Journeyman Pro
Only if there was a vid 
well done to gary player 
well done to gary player 
I have to say that even though the man is a golfing legend I'm glad this is his last playing event as he can't compete and effectively takes away a place to someone that may have a chance to win
B
birdieman
Guest
Cant agree. Masters is an Invitational, not an Open. The traditions make the Masters what it is whether you like them or not and incorporating former champions is part of the tradition. If you win a green jacket then I am happy you get to play for the rest of your life whether you are competitive or not.
Dont start tinkering with the formula, it is a perfect feast of golf with its limited field. Any good players missing out can qualify next time through a number of qualifying means - if you play well in other majors or climb the rankings you'll get in.
Turning the Masters into The Open wouldn't work.
Bring it on.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I agree with you Birdieman. Keep the traditions of the Masters as they are.
But this begs the question as to why the Masters is a Major? With a limited field and several "oldies" who can't possibly win, is it right to call it a Major Championship? Is tradition enough for it to be held as a Major?
But this begs the question as to why the Masters is a Major? With a limited field and several "oldies" who can't possibly win, is it right to call it a Major Championship? Is tradition enough for it to be held as a Major?
I agree up to a point but why not let the oldies go out and do a ceremonial nine ahead of the main event. Some of these guys are hardly competitive and it can't be much fun as the course gets longer.
I'm all for recognising the greats of the Masters and think its great they get invited back. I just don't think a guy shooting high 70's early 80's is any fun to watch. Let them have their moment in the sun as a couple or three groups before the main event.
I'm all for recognising the greats of the Masters and think its great they get invited back. I just don't think a guy shooting high 70's early 80's is any fun to watch. Let them have their moment in the sun as a couple or three groups before the main event.
golf_bug
Head Pro
Have to disagree Homer. Watching Nicklaus, Palmer and Player tee off in the Par 3 comp, the crowd were loving it. The kids in the crowd who are serious about golf may have heard of these guys but will not have seen them in the flesh. They are legends of the game and deserve their place at the Masters.
Thats my point. Give them the par 3 tournament where they can still hit wedges close and give them the plaudits they deserve but don't make them look silly trying to get to 470 yard par 4's in 2. The par 3 competition is brillliant for them to get some old groups like Watson Nicklaus and Palmer together and let the crowd rightfully adore their heroes.
Bloomin hell Homer, I do that week in and week out, keeps me sane! haha.
High seventies isnt a bad score when an average of -2 per round is what it took to win the Masters last year.
I understand what you are saying though, long par 4's will be virtually par 5's for the older fellas.
Alex, the Masters blog mentioned that Gary Player hit his first into the water then reloaded and holed it, I bet there was some cheer when it went in!
HTL
Tour Winner
To make PAR, he dunked one in the water first. Still a great shot, bookies offering 2500 - 1 on him, might be worth putting a quid on?
minty18
Tour Rookie
Save your pound mate...
Molly
Assistant Pro
See the holes in one here => http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7991063.stm
(by the way, am I allowed to post links to the BBC etc?)
Homer - Peter Alliss and Sam Torence were saying something similar on the Par-3 commentary last night - let the old guys come back and play 9 holes (from the 10th) for a Legends competition over the one or even four days. They could play off forward tees to make it more of an enjoyable time for them and more a spectacle for the punters. Mind you, no idea if they asked Jack, Arnie and Gary whether they wanted to play the big tournament or their own one?
I saw the Par-3 comp last night and it was very interesting to see the difference in the celebrations of Tim Clarke and John Merrick's groups - high fiving everyone within 10 feet of the tee box, versus a muted raising of the arms a little knuckle touching (tounge in cheek) and a few grins from the old timers. Lovely stuff.
(by the way, am I allowed to post links to the BBC etc?)
Homer - Peter Alliss and Sam Torence were saying something similar on the Par-3 commentary last night - let the old guys come back and play 9 holes (from the 10th) for a Legends competition over the one or even four days. They could play off forward tees to make it more of an enjoyable time for them and more a spectacle for the punters. Mind you, no idea if they asked Jack, Arnie and Gary whether they wanted to play the big tournament or their own one?
I saw the Par-3 comp last night and it was very interesting to see the difference in the celebrations of Tim Clarke and John Merrick's groups - high fiving everyone within 10 feet of the tee box, versus a muted raising of the arms a little knuckle touching (tounge in cheek) and a few grins from the old timers. Lovely stuff.
slugger
Tour Rookie
loved watching the par 3 last night. really good fun golf and a lot to learn from it.
one of those holes did look like you could hit the ball anywhere on the green and it'd role in though!
one of those holes did look like you could hit the ball anywhere on the green and it'd role in though!
Alex_narey
GM Staff
Yeah good call - like I mentioned in my blog, nobody in the mdeia centre was quite aware of what was happening!!!
