Although Rory McIlroy did not win the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday the day before the Masters, he had all the entertainment he needed at Augusta National, as his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki served as his caddy at the traditional event before the first major of the year.
According to ESPN.com, Ted Potter Jr. won the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday at Augusta National in a playoff on the day before the Masters, effectively taking himself out of the running for the major that starts Thursday since no player that has won the event has gone on to take the green jacket. The contest went to a playoff with Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar and after Lefty was eliminated, Potter defeated Kuchar on the number nine hole to win the crystal bowl. Wozniacki got involved in the action and smacked a ball into the water.
The light-hearted affair had a number of exciting moments, including seeing Wozniacki caddy for her boyfriend while decked out in a traditional outfit with the golf bag on her arm. McIlroy was asked about it on Tuesday by reporters and he revealed that his tennis star girlfriend would be on his bag for the event. The number two ranked golfer is likely glad he didn't win based on the prior statistic and he needs all the help he can get after getting off to a dreadful start this season.
After missing the cut at Abu Dhabi and shooting a 75, McIlroy was eliminated at Match Play in the first round and later walked off at the Honda Classic after starting poorly through the first nine holes. After playing in Houston, McIlroy added the Texas Open to his schedule and he appears to have turned a corner after finishing two strokes behind winner Martin Laird. McIlroy lost his number one ranking after Tiger Woods won at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and that may have taken some pressure off him on the golf course.
Woods did not take part in the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday -- something he doesn't play anyway -- and the event is a tradition that has been going on at Augusta since 1960. The contest finished up with a three way tie that resulted in the two hole playoff. Ernie Els and Nick Watney also were tied but did not take part in the playoff.
The Masters starts up on Thursday with first round television coverage on ESPN before switching to CBS on the weekend. Woods is aiming to get his fifth major and 15th career title, while McIlroy is looking for his first win at Augusta National.
