The most endearing aspect of Masters week arrived in the annual pre-tournament par-three contest, as Jack Nicklaus recorded a hole-in-one.

Nicklaus, the 75-year-old who won 18 major championships, spun the ball back into the cup at the 130-yard 4th hole of Augusta National’s par three course.

The crowd reaction, understandably, was spectacular in adding a wonderful tale to the traditional curtain-raiser to the Masters. Nicklaus had even quipped “What about a hole in one?” when speaking to broadcasters before setting out.

Nicklaus was playing alongside Gary Player and Ben Crenshaw, who will compete in his final Masters. Arnold Palmer routinely partners Nicklaus and Player in the Wednesday fun contest but a shoulder injury meant he was unable to appear this time around.

Tiger Woods took to the par three course for the first time since 2004. The 39-year-old’s girlfriend, the skier Lindsey Vonn, and his two children were alongside him. The world No1 Rory McIlroy had the One Direction singer Niall Horan as a caddie.