Par 3 Contest: Day for a caddie
You might think the luckiest man on the Augusta National grounds Wednesday was Colombian Camilo Villegas, who carded not one but two holes-in-one in the annual distraction that is the Masters’ Par 3 Contest.
You might think luckier still was Kevin Streelman, a 500-1 shot this week who somehow hung with Villegas to tie at 5-under 22 and then outlasted him through a three-hole playoff — Villegas drove the pond on No. 3 — to win the ceremonial event.
But the day’s prize goes to caddie Ethan Couch, an 11-year-old Canadian who, through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, had the best view of the day while looping for Streelman. Diagnosed with a benign but inoperable brain tumor two years ago, Ethan determined his biggest wish would be a trip to the Masters. Streelman invited him and put him to work Wednesday afternoon.
“This isn’t about me today,” Streelman said before the playoff. “It’s about helping him out and showing him a great day.”
Jack Nicklaus had something to remember, too, on the 130-yard fourth hole: his first hole-in-one at Augusta since he started coming here in 1959. Then he finished in 5-over 32.
“I had 3 under for the Par 3,” he said, “then choked.”
