It has already been a Masters to remember for Seamus Power regardless of what happens over the next four days at Augusta.
The 'luck of the Irish' was seemingly apparent in Wednesday's par-3 competition, with Power notching consecutive hole-in-ones to send the crowd into raptures. It wasn't enough to secure him victory, with America's Tom Hoge taking that honour, but it provided the world No 34 with two moments to remember ahead of just his fifth appearance in a major.
Power ended up tied for 27th a year ago in what his debut Masters appearance. He went on to also make the cut at both the US PGA Championship and US Open, before struggling at The Open as he bowed out after two days at St Andrew's.
But he appears to mean business at Augusta this time around, becoming only the third player in history to record back-to-back aces in the par-3 competition. He holed his tee shot on the 8th thanks to some controlled backspin, before landing his approach some 20 feet above the hole on the 9th - only to see it roll and curve down the slope before dropping.
A clearly delighted Power skipped around on the tee before being congratulated by both his playing partners. There was a total of five hole-in-ones on the day, with eventual winner Hoge, Scottie Scheffler and Bubba Watson completing the list.
Hoge, 33, also added four birdies as he finished with a six-under 21, taking the title from second placed Bubba Watson, with compatriot Kurt Kitayama third. The American now has the chance to break the long-standing jinx of par-3 winners, and become the first player to win both the warm-up event and the Masters in the same week.
But it was Power's efforts that had golf fans lavishing praise online, with Stephen Long - who works with Connaught Rugby - joking: "Looks like it’s Blaas and Dungarvan pale ales at next year’s Champions Dinner." @CurtOU added: "I once made back to back 5 footers. I can still remember the joy I felt." @VC606 summed up the thoughts of many amateur golfers, writing: "Amazing! Most struggle all their life to get one..."
Power's bid at the real thing will get underway at 2.48pm today (Thursday) UK time, with the County Waterford man playing alongside Watson and Argentinian player Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira. His compatriot Shane Lowry will play in the group ahead of him.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are the favourites with the bookies, both as low as 6/1 with the likes of Paddy Power. Two-time PGA winner Power is quoted at 80/1, the same odds as pre-tournament winner Hoge.
