Rory McIlroy’s four-year-old daughter Poppy captured hearts at Augusta National with a remarkable 25-foot putt during the Masters Par 3 Contest, sparking Green Jacket-level celebrations from Rory, Shane Lowry, and the crowd. But for Poppy, the spotlight was short-lived—she just wanted a hug from her dad.
In another family-focused moment, Jon Rahm’s son Kepa, momentarily bored as his mic’d-up father spoke with media, nearly kicked a ball into the hole from 30 feet. Rahm called the Par 3 Contest “the coolest thing we do in professional sport,” noting how kids embrace it more each year.
There were also spectacular shots on the course, including three holes-in-one. US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley nailed his ace on the sixth, celebrating with his sons. Brooks Koepka followed suit on the same hole, while Tom Hoge delivered his on the fourth. Bradley called it “one of my favorite moments in my golf career, maybe even my life.”
Colombia’s Nicolas Echavarria emerged victorious after a play-off with JJ Spaun, though history suggests his win may come with a jinx—no Par 3 winner has ever gone on to claim the Masters title in the same year.
For most players, the contest isn’t about scores but about family, fun, and a relaxed send-off before Masters Thursday. England’s Aaron Rai found himself carrying his own bag after his caddie hit the green, but spirits remained high.
McIlroy summed it up best: “Let’s have fun, go home, have dinner and rest and relax for Thursday.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
