Today was a big day in the young life of Frankie Fleetwood. His attempt to make the 135-yard carry over water on the 9th of the Par-3 Contest has become a tradition like no other. Golf has found its next chase in the post Rory McIlroy Grand Slam era.
The traditional Wednesday par-3 Contest is when the large double strapped tour bags are replaced by the pencil bags and the usually tunnel visioned professionals let their guard down for a couple of hours.
The practice putting green is where the kids test the parenting skills of their millionaire families. Toddlers and tykes scramble and share in the fun but young Frankie has no interest in getting involved with the Lowry’s or the McIlroy’s. He means business, this kid is dialled in. He’s rolling the rock very well, the putts are dropping, he has the pace of the greens, he looks like he is in the zone.
What is the biggest storyline of this year’s Masters or of any Masters? Can Frankie hit the 9th green. This is up there with any of the greatest heavyweight bouts in history.
The kids are the stars of the show on Wednesday at the Masters and the practice green is a scene. Sepp Straka’s toddler is just getting into his stride when the big Austrian breaks the devastating news that it is time to go. Then came the waterworks.
Irish interest at the Masters often extends beyond the playing interest, there are of course caddies and coaches. One of those is our own Gareth Raflewski who has his European academy based in Slieve Russell under the stewardship of Gordon Smyth. Gareth is busy putting his main man Nick Taylor through his paces on the tournament practice putting green. But if the par-3 practice green was anything to go by is that the Taylor’s are a family of deadly putters, or has Gareth been giving the kids some lessons?
On to the practice green come the Lowry clan shortly followed by a certain grand slam winner. Lowry plays mediator in making sure Iris and Ivy share the flat stick while McIlroy gets to work on Poppy’s pace putting. Safe to say she is an aggressive putter and isn’t worried about the one back.
When you come to the Masters at Augusta National, it is a little like going back to school. There is a catalogue of rules to follow. No phones, no running and as of today, no slouching… Although cartwheels are an exception after Poppy put on an exhibition in gymnastics on the 6th hole.
Anyone who has a father will know that it’s a bloody nuisance when they steal your thunder isn’t it? A Tommy Fleetwood hole in one on the par-3 4th drew a massive roar from the packed gallery and while I was desperate to see an ace live in the par-3 contest, today wasn’t about you Tommy lad. Anticipation grew as the all-star group approached the 9th.
It’s hilarious how Frankie’s bid to hit the 9th has become a thing and a central part of Masters week. The ridge above the tee box was heaving with people here to see an historic moment. Play on that hole slowed up as players let their kids and caddies have a crack at the green. Brian Harman’s kids held up the show, not by slow play, just he has four of them…
Naturally, Frankie used this delay to dial in his swing. The moment of truth was fast approaching. Everyone could sense it, murmurs of “Frankie, Frankie” could be heard around the tee box and in a gesture of incredible sportsmanship the caddies and Iris Lowry played first to allow Frankie his grandstand moment.
Fair play to Irish by the way, she can hit a ball, she may have an American twang but there’s definitely golf and even hurling in her! She missed the green left but would have comfortably made the carry on a straighter line.
Then to the main event, after last year’s disappointment, Frankie stepped up for redemption. Unfortunately, the result didn’t match his sound swing. Short right. Devastating. The 90th Masters balloon was burst. Frankie is a fan favourite and cries of “one more shot” echoed from tee to green so he gave it another crack.
He “tried his hardest” and for next year he will have to work on squaring up that club face as he missed short right again. Not interested in any sympathetic applause from the crowd or high fives from dad and co he briskly exited stage left.
McIlroy had 17 chances to win the Masters and since Frankie’s father is so good I reckon he will have as many chances to hit that 9th green.
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