AUGUSTA, Ga. — Seven months ago, Gary Woodland underwent a frightening surgery to remove a lesion on his brain.
On Wednesday, he competed in the annual Masters Par 3 Contest, with a look of unforgettable joy on his face as his 6-year-old son, Jax, made the final putt of the round.
That was just minutes after Woodland made his first hole-in-one of the tournament.
A lot has changed in 7 months.
“This is my 12th time playing a par 3, and there were a few close calls,” Woodland said. “It was nice to see one go in. It was nice to see the kids’ reactions.” They were so excited.
“For me, I would say I was more excited about my son making the putt at the end than I was about the ball going in.” [for the ace]. For him, it was all about making the putt. That’s everything. He thought about it all day. He knew it was his chance.
“He told me to hit it closer than that and I was apologizing for not hitting it closer for him. It was so cool to see his reaction. Please… it was very special.”
Woodland called the par-3 contest, in which many players bring their wives, girlfriends and children, hitting putts and retrieving balls with unbridled joy, “an opportunity to let your hair down a little and enjoy it with your family.” ”I called it an opportunity. before the real competition begins on Thursday.
“We all know what’s at stake starting tomorrow,” Woodland said. “After this tournament ends, I start thinking about the next year.”
There were a total of 5 holes in one on this day.
Rickie Fowler, competing in the Masters for the first time since 2020, won with a par-3 5-under par. This means he becomes the latest player to take on the par-3 jinx. No player has ever won the Masters Tournament.
“It’s a great start to the week,” Fowler said. “The Par 3 Contest is special. It has the tradition of the Masters and to be able to compete there and now to be able to spend time with my family. I’ve worked with a lot of young kids over the years. But it’s a little different when you have children of your own. So it was special for my wife and I to welcome our daughter for the first time, and always will be.”
Fowler played with Jordan Spieth, and his wife Annie and son Sammy were also there. Sammy and Fowler’s daughter Maya was born four days apart.
“They made some shots,” Fowler said. “That was the best part. Just letting them out and watching them run around. It’s been a while since I’ve been back here. It’s a special place. One of my favorites. Starting tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting started.”
And we broke the par-3 contest jinx.
