Sabbatini wins Masters warm-up

Last year’s joint runner-up Rory Sabbatini carries a jinx into The Masters.

The South African won the eve-of-tournament par three competition – televised for the first time – after a five under par 22. No par-three champion has gone on to become champion at Augusta four days later.

Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and American Woody Austin finished one behind, while there were holes-in-one from American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger at the second, 70-year-old Charles Coody on the third, Fred Couples on the seventh and Wayne Grady at the ninth.

The competition takes place on a nine-hole course close to the 10th hole of the main lay-out and 78-year-old Arnold Palmer won one of the “nearest the pin” prizes after a shot to within two feet of the opening flag.

Tiger Woods was among the players who did not take part in the optional event. “It’s changed over the years,” he said. “It used to be I thought it was a lot of fun, but now it is a little bit distracting to be ready for the tournament.”