AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle delivered two of probably the most memorable photographs in Masters historical past in consecutive years.

Mize, the primary champion born in Augusta, holed a 140-foot chip from proper of the eleventh inexperienced within the second gap of a playoff to beat Greg Norman in 1987, most likely the one shot that haunts Norman probably the most. The subsequent 12 months, Lyle hit 7-iron from the golf green bunker on the 18th gap to 10 toes and made the birdie putt to win.

Now they’re linked once more. They introduced this might be their closing 12 months enjoying the Masters.

“As they had been in 1988, when Larry introduced the inexperienced jacket to Sandy, they’re linked once more this week,” Masters Chairman Fred Ridley stated. “We commend them for his or her advantageous play over 4 many years and for representing the Masters so properly. Relaxation assured, their victories will ceaselessly be remembered.”

That is Mize’s fortieth consecutive Masters, whereas Lyle was a part of the “Huge 5” from Europe who as soon as seemingly dominated the Masters. Lyle, Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo mixed to win 9 occasions between 1980 and 1996, together with a stretch of seven wins in 12 years.

The information was shared with the 33 champions on the Masters membership dinner Tuesday night time.

“Larry received a bit of emotional,” two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal stated. “He had a tough time making an attempt to talk. Truly, he didn’t. It was a really emotional dinner. So it was good.”

PAR 3 CONTEST

Tom Hoge aced the eighth gap over Ike’s Pond on his method to successful the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday.

Hoge obtained a crystal vase for the hole-in-one, a crystal bowl for his successful spherical of 6 below, and a few steep historical past to beat: No winner of the Par 3 Contest, which matches again to 1960, has gone on to win the Masters.

“I made a number of birdies early after which the hole-in-one on 8, in order that was cool to see that go in,” Hoge stated after strolling off the not too long ago renovated Par 3 Course within the northeast nook of the property. “Only a enjoyable day trip right here this afternoon.”

Bubba Watson additionally had a hole-in-one and completed second at 5 below, whereas Seamus Energy stole the present with back-to-back aces, becoming a member of Claude Harman in 1968 and Toshi Izawa in 2002 as the one gamers to perform the feat.

“Clearly to get one was particular,” Energy stated, “however to get the second was a bit surreal.”

ROLLING BACK THE BALL

Ridley tipped his hand with out making an attempt to throughout his annual information convention Wednesday when it got here to the USGA and R&A proposal for a modified native rule rolling again the golf ball.

It might imply tournaments might select to require a special ball, and use it to curtail distance, and it’s clear the U.S. Open and British Open will go alongside. It’s not a completed deal, although, because the remark interval goes by Augusta.

“Our place has all the time been that we assist the governing our bodies,” Ridley stated of the Masters. “I believe, in a common sense, we do assist the proposal, however as a result of it’s in the midst of a remark interval, it might change. … So we’ll take a look at the ultimate product and decide.

“We imagine distance must be addressed,” Ridley added. “I believe the pure conclusion is, sure, we might be supportive.”

CRITERIA UPDATE

At the same time as Augusta Nationwide stated in December it might hold its standards for invites, which allowed LIV Golf gamers to get in, Ridley supplied a reminder that the membership appears to be like at each facet of the Masters and was open to modifications.

Those made this 12 months had been minor, although.

The Masters supplied a particular invitation to Gordon Sargent, the NCAA champion from Vanderbilt, and beginning subsequent 12 months the faculty champion might be a everlasting class. Which means seven amateurs might be supplied spots.

All the things else was roughly the identical. The Masters added language just like the U.S. Open that claims people who qualify and are eligible for the Tour Championship might be supplied invites. Talor Gooch certified for East Lake by being within the prime 30 in FedEx Cup factors, however he wasn’t eligible as a result of the PGA Tour suspended him for becoming a member of LIV Golf.

The language additionally was tweaked on giving spots to winners of PGA Tour occasions providing full FedEx Cup factors, solely as a result of beginning in 2024 the tour goes away from a wraparound season. The quick model: Gamers successful tournaments within the fall will nonetheless get into the Masters.

WEATHER WATCH

Blue skies, puffy white clouds and heat, humid temperatures greeted gamers for his or her closing apply rounds Wednesday, however the forecast for the weekend requires a lot totally different situations round Augusta Nationwide.

The opening spherical Thursday will nonetheless be heat, with highs within the mid-80s, however rain is anticipated to maneuver by the realm on Friday. With it comes a chilly entrance, dropping highs into the 50s, and there’s a near-100% likelihood of rain this weekend.

“I believe it is going to be a protracted week,” Patrick Cantlay stated. “Often when there’s climate, the rounds drag on and it appears to be like like there could also be some delays as properly. I think about the golf course will play significantly lengthy this 12 months.”

That additionally doesn’t bode properly for gamers akin to Tiger Woods, whose our bodies get a bit creaky when temperatures take a dive.

Requested whether or not he’d seen the forecast, Woods replied: “Oh, yeah. I’ve seen it.”

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