Byrd Co-Champion of Par Three Contest

April 4, 2012

CLEMSON, SC – 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 just the second tie in the 53-year history of the Par Three Tournament and Harrington has been involved in each of them. In 2003, the native of Ireland tied David Toms for the title. He now has a record three Par Three Tournament wins. 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 just two holes.

Byrd and Harrington were both just two shots off the Masters record for the Par Three Tournament. Art Wall had a 20 in 1965 and Gay Brewer had the same score in 1973.

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 Kyle Stanley had a 28.

Wednesday marked the first time a former Tiger had won the Par Three Tournament.