Timeless Tom Watson wins Masters Par-3 crown at 68

World
Europe

Eight-time major champion Tom Watson became the oldest Masters Par-3 Contest winner at the age of 68, clinching the casual competition on Wednesday at Augusta National on the eve of the 82nd Masters.

Watson, who also turned time back in the 2009 British Open at 59 before settling for second at Turnberry to Stewart Cink, fired a 6-under par 21 on Augusta National's special Par-3 layout.

"After I birdied the first four holes I said it would be all right to win the par-3," Watson said. "Since I'm not playing in the tournament I said let's go for it this year."

No Par-3 Contest winner has ever taken the Masters in the same year, but the "curse" won't be a factor this year since Watson has retired from playing in the Masters.

England's Tommy Fleetwood, 41 years younger than Watson, and Belgian Thomas Pieters, another year younger, shared second on 22 with Jack Nicklaus at age 78 in a pack sharing third on 23.

Jack Nicklaus' caddie and grandson G.T. Nicklaus (R) celebrates at the 2018 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club‍. /VCG Photo

Watson, who also won the Par-3 title in 1982, broke the age mark of 61 set by Sam Snead in 1974, doing so with only eight putts, including a two-putt par at the ninth to seal the triumph.

"That was the Watson of old," Nicklaus said.

Watson won a crystal pedestal bowl for the victory rather than the green jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy, which he took in 1977 and 1981. Watson also won five British Open titles and the 1982 US Open among his major wins.

Meanwhile, Jack Nicklaus enjoyed what he called his greatest moment in golf when he watched 15-year-old grandson G.T. Nicklaus, serving as his caddie, sink his first hole-in-one at the 135-yard ninth on a just-for-fun swing.

"I was just trying to hit it on the green, hit a good shot and set it up," said the son of Gary Nicklaus. "For that to happen was just unbelievable."

The eldest Nicklaus was in tears.