9 Apr 2015

Jack Nicklaus hits hole-in-one

11:59 am on 9 April 2015

Jack Nicklaus proved he can still get it done at Augusta National as he carded a hole-in-one during the Masters Par-3 contest.

Golfer Jack Nicklaus.

Golfer Jack Nicklaus. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 75-year-old, a six-time Masters champion, recorded his ace on the fourth hole with a shot that flew the water, his ball landing beyond the pin before spinning back and rolling slowly into the cup.

As the ball disappeared, the crowd stood and roared while the 18-time major winner high-fived and hugged his playing partners, nine-time major champion Gary Player of South Africa and twice Masters winner Ben Crenshaw.

"I never had a hole in one at Augusta," a smiling Nicklaus said afterwards.

"When I hit the shot at four, I had 123 yards or something like that, a breeze coming at us.

"I actually hit two more shots that hit right around the edge of the hole, had a chance to go in. I didn't finish up very well, but we had a lot of fun."

Two other players, Chilean amateur Mathias Dominguez and Colombian Camilo Villegas, also aced the fourth while South African Trevor Immelman holed out at the fifth before Villegas collected his second ace of the day at the eighth.

The tournament's first round proper begins tomorrow morning.