The Masters 2026: Family fun and holes-in-one – why Par 3 contest crosses generations
The teenager had the galleries chanting his identify as he tried to satisfy a vow made 12 months in the past – to clear the water together with his tee shot on the ultimate ninth gap.
A 12 months older, greater and stronger – and armed with a bespoke membership – he had made it a mission to overcome what had became a private problem.
(*3*) Frankie mentioned in one in all numerous tv interviews through the spherical.
Described as a “chatterbox” by his dad, Frankie confirmed he’s a chip off the outdated block – speaking confidently in entrance of the digicam, demonstrating a steeliness to succeed and possessing a classy swing of the membership.
Anticipation constructed on the course because the Fleetwood household, once more alongside good mates the McIlroys and Lowrys, performed their manner spherical to the ninth tee.
Young Frankie was extensive proper together with his first try and, after the Augusta patterns sang for him to get one other probability, he got here nearer with a second but it surely nonetheless ended up moist.
He walked off with the consoling arm of Shane Lowry’s daughter Iris – who additionally went near hitting the placing floor – spherical his shoulders.
“I think more than anything the pressure is on me to keep doing the Masters until he reaches the green on the ninth,” mentioned father Tommy, who continues his quest this week for a primary main title following a number of prime-5 finishes.
Fleetwood tuned up his quick recreation with a gap-in-one which made the patterns roar, with American trio Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley additionally carding aces to dial up the leisure issue.
Bradley, who was the US captain of their Ryder Cup defeat by Europe final 12 months, is the primary participant within the historical past of the 66-12 months competitors to land holes-in-one in consecutive years.
The noise within the galleries is prone to be matched this week because the sporting drama intensifies, however the chaos contained in the ropes – toddlers sliding down bunkers and infants crawling throughout placing surfaces – will make manner for the cordiality of the principle occasion.
Father-of-5 Jason Day jokingly described the event as “a circus”, with Clark including: “As a man with no kids I’ll say it’s great birth control but it’s a lot of fun.”
Celebrity stardust got here within the type of comic Kevin Hart, who caddied for 2-time main champion Bryson DeChambeau, and former NFL star Jason Kelce in a roving reporter function on the course.
Their presence got here hours after Augusta chairman Fred Ridley mentioned the continued battle for the Masters to search out the stability “between respecting tradition and innovating.”
On this proof, the Par 3 Contest is continuous to tread the road rigorously because the Masters appears to make sure it – and golf – stays related for generations to return.
