2013 Masters Par 3 Contest: Nick Watney opens broadcast with hole-in-one

Watney's ace puts him in jeopardy of acquiring the par-3 jinx.

By Brendan Porath Apr 10, 2013, 3:20pm EDT

We have our first (televised) hole-in-one of 2013 Masters week, as Nick Watney opened the Par-3 broadcast on ESPN with an ace on the finishing hole. Earlier on Wednesday, defending champ Bubba Watson aced the par-3 16th hole on the big boy course, but no video of the shot has emerged (reports are that it was not on a skip across the water, a practice round tradition). Watney sent his shot right over the top of the flagstick at the 9th green, spinning it back into the cup. The Californian ended the day at 4-under, which is currently tied for the lead with Ernie Els. Here's a gif of the ace that wrapped up his day at Augusta's par-3 course (hover to animate):

So far, Watney has not opted to go the Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk route by taking a "Not Scored" to avoid the Par-3 contest jinx. Since the start of the contest in 1960, no Wednesday par-3 winner has gone on to win the important one on Sunday.