The Masters: Tiger Woods nearly sends Augusta wild with his first ace in 20 years

Matthew Gault

Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy don’t get their final round underway until 7.40pm, but Tiger Woods has been starting the fun at Augusta.

It’s been a frustrating week for the four-time Masters champ. The reception he’s been afforded has been something to behold, but it hasn’t been enough to catapult him up the leaderboard.

Unfortunately, for the vast legion of Woods fans out there, it’s been a case of one step forward, two steps back. After three rounds at Augusta, Woods was well out of the picture but, heading out early on Sunday, several hours before the leaders take to the course, the former world number one had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Here’s an interesting stat. Despite his supreme talent, Woods hasn’t had a hole-in-one at a tour event for 20 years. Thanks to golf writer Jason Sobel for that excellently obscure stat.

Tiger Woods hits the hole with tee shot on the fourth.

Still a crazy stat: He had an ace in his first tourney as a pro in '96. And another, the famous Phoenix one, the next year. And another at Castle Pines (with no cameras!) the year after that. Since then? He's 0-for-20 years.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) April 8, 2018

At the fourth, Woods almost put that right, his towering approach pitching just short of the pin and rolling over the cup. Had lady luck been on his side, it would have been an ace and surely would have sent the hundreds watching him bananas (that’s a reference to how Woods described the gallery after that infamous chip-in on 16 in 2005).

Watch it below.

Masters 2018: Tiger Woods | 4th Hole, Round 4 pic.twitter.com/zcvW4JznSU

— Masters Highlights (@MastersMoments) April 8, 2018

And yes, of course he rolled the nine-footer in for the birdie.

That wasn’t the only impressive shot Woods hit in the early stages of his final round. At the par-5 2nd, the 42-year-old conjured up a delicious flop shot, just mere inches away from a delightful eagle.

He’s still out there, showcasing some wizardry with his irons. While he’s not competing the way he wants to be, it’s a nice prelude to tonight’s hotly-anticipated showdown.