AUGUSTA, Ga. – Although play was suspended Wednesday at Augusta National, cancelling the Par-3 Contest, there were some early fireworks from Canadian Mike Weir, who aced the 130-yard fourth hole with a nine iron.
Weir, the 2003 Masters winner, was paired with two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal (1994, 1999) and 1971 Masters winner Charles Coody. Weir had his girlfriend of just over nine months, former ‘Bachelor’ contestant and current TV personality, Michelle Money, on the bag.
“I guess she’s my good-luck charm,” said Weir with a big smile and his arm around Money, as they departed the Par-3 course after aggressive thunderstorms rolled through Augusta Wednesday afternoon, closing the course. “Just pure excitement. I raised my arms, I looked over at the Canadian TV guys who were all cheering, it was really cool,” he added. “It came at a great time.”
Money, who also appeared on the second season of Bachelor Pad and Bachelor in Paradise along with her stint in the 15th season of The Bachelor, had never been to Augusta before, but gave Weir a big hug and a kiss after his ace.
His nine-iron landed about 10 feet past the hole and spun back into the cup.
Last year, Weir had his eldest daughter Elle’s boyfriend Max as his caddy, and Max nearly made an ace himself. Max borrowed a club and came an inch short of dunking his tee shot on the final hole, a 135-yarder.
Weir was tied with Brendan Steele for the lead at 3-under when play was suspended. It’s undetermined if Weir would technically “win” the Par-3 Contest (and as is customary, a pedestal crystal bowl), but closest-to-the-pin honours on each hole (which Weir would certainly win) get a crystal pitcher.