AUGUSTA, GA—Former Clemson All-American Jonathan Byrd rolled in a four-foot birdie putt on the ninth and final hole to tie Padrig Harrington for first place at the Masters Par Three Tournament on Wednesday.
Both Byrd and Harrington finished with five under par scores of 22 for the par 27 course that is 1060 yards in length.
It was the second tie in the 53-year history of the Par Three Tournament. Normally there is a playoff, but inclement weather ended Wednesday’s competition after 43 players had played the full nine holes. Legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player had completed only two holes.
No Par Three Tournament winner has gone on to win the Masters. Twice the winner of the Par Three has finished second. Raymond Floyd lost in a playoff to Nick Faldo in 1990 and Chip Beck finished second to Bernhard Langer in 1993.
Current Clemson golfer Corbin Mills had an even par 27 while playing with legends Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw, while former Tiger All-American Kyle Stanley had a 28.
Wednesday marked the first time a former Tiger had won the Par Three Tournament.
(Clemson Sports Information contributed to this report.)
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