Norman hits ace at Augusta

Having said it probably would not happen, Greg Norman did have wife Chris Evert as his caddie in the Masters par-three competition today after all – and he made a hole-in-one.

The 54-year-old, back at Augusta for the first time in seven years after finishing third in The Open last July just a month after marrying Evert, aced the 140-yard sixth hole.

It took him to three-under. But that was still two behind South African Tim Clark, who holed in one on the 135-yard ninth to complete the nine-hole course in 22.

No par-three winner has ever gone on to become Masters champion – and Clark, runner-up to Phil Mickelson in 2006, had to wait to see if he would be the one carrying the jinx into the tournament.

Gary Player, who plays his record 52nd and final Masters this year, was joined by fellow greats Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer – they have already made their farewell appearances – for the fun curtain-raising event.