Player may be set to turn 91 later this year, but on Wednesday he was still bounding his way around Augusta, relishing another chance to perform in front of the patrons.
The three-time Masters champion delighted fans by draining a lengthy birdie putt, drawing one of the loudest cheers of the day.
When asked how long he plans to serve as an honorary starter for the tournament’s ceremonial opening tee shots, the South African legend replied: “Oh, probably until I’m 100… You know, that’s unless I can’t walk. But I mean, I went to the gym today. It’s not easy, the day you’re performing, to go to the gym. But I still went and worked out.
“I’m 90, but I would beat most people in the world at 50 in a gym. And so, unless I get an illness, which can happen very easily, or have an accident, but all being normal, I should make it 100. Yeah, it’s a possibility.”
The annual curtain-raiser delivered plenty of highlights, including four holes-in-one. Justin Thomas opened the run of aces on the second hole, followed by Wyndham Clark on the seventh. Keegan Bradley added another on the eighth to become the first player to record holes-in-one in consecutive years at the event, while Tommy Fleetwood completed the quartet with an ace at the fourth.
Rai carded a six-under-par 21 on the nine-hole course to win by one stroke, surging to the top of the leaderboard with birdies on his final four holes, including the ninth. He finished ahead of Americans Jacob Bridgeman and Johnny Keefer, who both posted five-under 22.
The relaxed atmosphere also produced several light-hearted moments. Fleetwood’s eight-year-old son, Frankie, entertained patrons at the iconic ninth hole over Ike’s Pond, attempting the 135-yard shot with a driver but finding the water on both tries, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Elsewhere, comedian Kevin Hart provided comic relief while caddying for Bryson DeChambeau.
The Par 3 Contest remains one of the Masters’ most popular traditions, offering a family-friendly prelude to the tournament, which begins on Thursday. Rai and the rest of the field will now turn their attention to the pursuit of the green jacket.
