The Masters officially starts on Thursday, but Jack Nicklaus’s 15-year-old grandson produced the week’s first highlight by filling in for his legendary grandfather during the Par 3 Contest and sinking his first hole-in-one.
‘I can’t talk,’ the 78-year-old, six-time Masters champion said after seeing his grandson ace the ninth hole. ‘Got a few tears.’
Gary Nicklaus Jr. was caddying for his grandfather, who previously offered him the chance to step in during the Par 3 Contest and even predicted the outcome.
A tearful Jack Nicklaus, who won 18 majors during his career, rated his grandson Gary Nicklaus Jr.’s ace the number one moment of his career
Gary Nicklaus Jr. was caddying for his grandfather, who previously offered him the chance to step in during the Par 3 Contest and even predicted the outcome
‘I said I think you’re going to make a hole-in-one,’ a tearful Nicklaus told NBC Sports.
Nicklaus Jr. aced the ninth hole by shooting over a water hazard and rolling the ball from the back of the green into the hole.
‘I was thinking “no way” and then it looked like it stopped for a second an inch behind the hole,’ Nicklaus Jr. said, adding, ‘I didn’t celebrate at first because I didn’t think I saw it.’
And as if it wasn’t enough to share the moment with his grandfather, Nicklaus Jr. hit the hole-in-one in the presence of former Masters champions Tom Watson, who won Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest, and Gary Player.
Nicklaus Jr. aced the hole by shooting over a water hazard and rolling it back down the green
‘I was thinking “no way” and then it looked like it stopped for a second an inch behind the hole,’ Nicklaus Jr. (far right) said, adding, ‘I didn’t celebrate at first because I didn’t think I saw it’
Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus (in yellow) threw up his hands in excitement after his 15-year-old grandson and caddie GT scored a hole-in-one on the ninth hole during the Par Three competition at the Masters tournament. Former Masters champions Gary Player (far left, in black) and Tom Watson (near left, in pink) were also in the tee box for the excitement
Player even added to the moment by repeatedly saying, ‘You’re going to like that,’ as the ball inched towards the pin.
‘This is probably my favorite week of the year,’ said Nicklaus Jr., who is known as ‘GT.’ ‘This is a special tournament. Golf is a sport that I love. And for that to happen is just unbelievable.’
A tearful Nicklaus, who won 18 majors during his career, rated his grandson’s ace the number one moment of his career.
Nicklaus, who was standing with fellow legends Tom Watson (in pink) and Gary Player (in black), called the moment the highlight of his entire career
Nicklaus held GT’s arm victoriously in the air as he posed with his grandson and granddaughter Nina, GT’s sister
‘We talked about three days ago and said ‘GT do you want to hit the ball on nine?’ and he said “sure,”‘ Nicklaus explained. ‘I said, “well I think you’re going to make a hole-in-one.” It’s his first.’
‘You always want the best for your kids and your grandkids and to watch a grandkid come along and knock in a hole-in-one on the biggest venue in the world…. wow. I mean what a day.’
The legendary 68-year-old Tom Watson, who has won eight major championships and retired from the professional circuit in 2016, nabbed first in the contest with a six-under-par 21.
Watson, who previously scored the top spot in the Par 3 Contest in 1982, is now the oldest winner in the tournament’s history.
Legendary golfer Tom Watson celebrates with the trophy after winning the Par 3 Contest