Luke Donald wins the Par 3 Tournament
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Luke Donald, world number 4, has given himself a real chance of becoming the first person in history to win both the Par 3 Tournament at the Masters, and the main event.
Such is the superstition of most professional golfers, that if they think they have half a chance in the main tournament, they make sure they don’t win the Par -3.
Not so, the Englishman, who finished with a score of 22 (-5). Asked about the superstition, Donald said: “If you’re hitting wedges close it’s only a good thing. Some of the short shots you hit in the Par 3 Tournament are very similar to shots you need on the big course, and that’s why I play in this. I think it’s good preparation.”
Donald was tipped this week by none other than world number one Martin Kaymer. “It’s a big compliment coming from the world’s best ranked player,” said Donald. “I think when your peers are speaking highly like that, you can feed off it and make yourself believe that you’re better than you might even think you are. My game is fine. I’ve been preparing well. I feel coming into this week I’ve been playing as well as I ever have, coming into this Championship. I’ve had some good results the last few weeks and I’m really looking forward to the first round.”
Donald won the Par 3 by a stroke from Raymond Floyd, Angel Cabrera, and Lucas Glover. There was one hole in one, by Craig Stadler at the 1st.
Final scores:
1st Luke Donald -5
2nd Raymond Floyd -4
2nd Angel Cabrera -4
2nd Lucas Glover -4
5th Ricky Fowler -3
5th Peter Uhlein -3
5th Adam Scott -3
5th Edoardo Molinari -3
5th Bo Van Pelt -3
10th Phil Mickelson -2
Nearest to the hole:
1st Craig Stadler 0
2nd Rory McIlroy 14 inches
3rd Zach Johnson 36 inches
4th Jason Bohn 13 inches
5th Adam Scott 36 inches
6th Francesco Molinari 4 inches
7th Mike Weir 9 inches
8th Larry Mize 48 inches
9th Stewart Cink 13.5 inches
