ON THE eve of The 2023 Masters, a competition was run among the competing players at Augusta.
And it was Waterford’s own Seamus Power who attracted the plaudits with not one, but TWO holes-in-one…in a row!
Seamus Power hit TWO holes-in-one IN A ROW at Augusta
The highlight of the golfing calendar tees off on Thursday, with Power one of three Irish players vying for glory, the others being Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
On Wednesday, as a warm-up for the main-event, several of those due to compete took part in a par-three contest.
And before the others knew what was happening, Seamus Power had notched TWO holes-in-a-row.
The first ace was on the eighth hole and was the first of the light-hearted contest.
And is if wanting to send a warning shout out to his rivals, he only went and did it again on the ninth, much to the disbelief of fans watching.
One stunned supporter said: “Two aces in a row”
Another astonished onlooker tweeted: “wait wtf?! how is this not exploding the internet”
Someone else hailed: “back to back aces at Augusta – this is incredible”
Another said: “Seamus Power has just gone hole in one then hole in one. That is unbelievable.”
Someone else rhetorically pondered: “Who doesn’t love Seamus Power?”
PLUCK OF THE IRISH
Despite the talent that is so often on show, there is yet to be an Irish winner of The Masters.
Rory McIlroy came closest in 2022, as he finished second – three points shy of Scheffler – while Shane Lowry finished in a tie for third.
The former is one of the early favourites to finally get his hands on the famous green jacket, with fellow great and close pal Tiger Woods backing him to do it sooner rather than later.
Speaking after sharing a practice round with the Northern Irishman, the five-time Masters champ said: “He will (complete the career Grand Slam). It’s just a matter of time.
“Rory has the talent. He has the game. He has all the tools to win here.
“I think Rory has shown over the years that he’s learned how to play this golf course.
“He has been there. Last year he made a great run (ultimately finishing second), put himself there.
“I think that it’s just a matter of time, whether it’s this year or next or whenever it comes.
“He will get it done and he will have a career Grand Slam. What year it will be? It will definitely happen.”
LOW DOWN
As for Lowry, since missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open, the Offaly-native has shown flashes of the consistency he produced last season.
The world number 23 has been at Augusta National since last weekend as he aims to sharpen up ahead of Thursday’s opening round.
Although he’s not happy with season results to date, he’s feeling confident ahead of tee-time in Georgia.
He said: “I’ve not been throwing out the results that I want. But I’m not that far away.
“Last season, I made a big thing about getting ready for the Masters. I’ve done the same this year. I wanted to prepare for this as best I can and I feel I’ve done that.
“I do feel good, I feel a lot of confidence. It’s all about getting out there Thursday and getting off to a decent start.
“If you shoot a good score on Thursday, you feel like you’re right in the tournament and it’s an exciting week after that.”