Donald Garners Victory in Par 3 Contest Gig

Cheers from the Par 3 course traveled across Magnolia Lane just as Retief Goosen stood outdie the Clubhouse door. He was waiting for his caddie to arrive, his robust 8-year old son Leo, who’s a love carrying his dad’s golf bag for the very first time in the Masters Par 3 Contest. "He couldn't sleep last night he was so excited," Goosen said. "He was like, 'Dad, what if they ask me for my autograph? How should I sign it?'" The short course’s earth-song natural ampitheater made Wednesday a complete getaway combined with an atmosphere of a family cookout, revving up more oomph to the event’s sprawling popularity.

"I know that the players seem to like it more," Masters Chairman Billy Payne said. "I think it is great entertainment before the seriousness of the following four days."

For the record, everyone knows that no one has ever won the Par 3 Contest and emerge a champion in the Masters at the same week. Apparently, Luke Donald seemed a bit relaxed after he posted a 5-under-par score. "It's always fun to play," he said. "The vibes are great; people love to see you hit good shots. It's good preparation for your putting and short irons, too."

Donald’s total score of 22 was on the rocks over the course of the afternoon, but it went back to smooth course after he held up for a one-stroke victory against Raymond Floyd and Angel Cabrera. With his best shot, the Englishman, ranked number four as one of the world’s champions, becomes the most current to bear the so-called Contest curse.

Bad luck’s just old, he swept up everything with timing, which seemed to be the only controversy involved with winning on the Par 3 course and its 18-hole bi brother in the same week. Since 1960, there were eleven Masters Champions who won in the annual event played, and closely, Floyd and Cabrera are just a fetch making it to 12.

So much for pressure, the event offered so much fun for the families and you may even wonder who would have enjoyed themselves more: the kids going bonkers as if playing on sandboxes back home or the parents watching them. The cutesy caddies with their sleeves and pant legs rolled up took their own swings and tapped in putts for their dads. The pros anticipated the chance to turn in an official scorecard by having their caddies play a shot or two or just pick a ball in play. It’s delighting to be involved. But you know the Masters champions, they could use a bit of cooling off.