Garcia hits Albatross in practice

Sergio Garcia today achieved something never seen in Masters history – an albatross two on the 575-yard second hole.

Garcia sank a 253-yard two-iron – unfortunately, of course, in a practice round, with the event starting until Thursday.

“It was a fun thing,” he said. “It’s always special if you make your first double-eagle (the American term for an albatross) ever and make it at Augusta.

“It was an amazing thing. I hit a great shot, but thought it was like a yard and half right of the hole, but all of a sudden the crowd went crazy.

“It’s a shame it wasn’t in the tournament – but still nice.”

John Daly, meanwhile, holed-in-one at the 16th and Tiger Woods, on Monday, holed out with a sand wedge to the ninth for an eagle two.

The second hole is the only par five on the course which has not witnessed an albatross in the tournament.

Gene Sarazen, in winning the second Masters in 1935, sank his four-wood approach to the 500-yard 15th, while Australian Bruce Devlin made a two at the 570-yard eighth in 1967, also with a four-wood. Jeff Maggert achieved the same feat on the 510-yard 13th in 1994 with a three-iron.