Donaldson makes Masters history on Augusta debut

Jamie Donaldson marked his Masters debut with a brilliant hole in one on the sixth to add his name to the record books.

As the Masters celebrated its 77^th-anniversary at its iconic home, the 37-year-old from Pontypridd conquered the 180-yard sixth hole, known as Juniper, to take the number of hole in ones at The Masters to 24. He also became only the fifth ever player to hit an ace on the hole.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship holder finished the day two over par on 74, eight shots behind overnight joint leaders Marc Leishman and Sergio Garcia.

Donaldson entered the back nine on level par but then dropped three shots in as many holes. He birdied the 13^th, but an 18^th-hole bogie left him two over in a poor back nine that dampened the excitement following his sixth-hole heroics.

Oswestry’s Ian Woosnam, who won the title in 1991, hit one eagle but finished eight over par after double bogeys at the ninth and 12^th in his 25^th visit to Augusta.

The score means he is now struggling to make the cut for only the second time in 12 years as Wales’ second entrant failed to relive former glories in Georgia.

“I hit too many bad [shots],” he said of his round. “It was my first competitive round of the year and it showed. I’m tired.

“It’s the first time I’ve walked a round of golf in six months so I can’t expect too much.”

Both players will be looking to kick on in day two, providing play isn’t halted too much by the storms expected to hit the area.