Masters Viral Second: Kizzire Will get Down and Soiled in Augusta’s Azaleas
AUGUSTA, Ga. – April 10, 2025
The Masters Event is thought for its pristine magnificence, iconic inexperienced jackets, and moments of {golfing} brilliance. However this 12 months, Patton Kizzire added one other memorable chapter to Augusta Nationwide’s storied historical past when he actually dove into the problem of the course’s famed landscaping.
On the par-5 thirteenth gap of Augusta Nationwide’s again 9, Kizzire’s strategy shot drifted proper, touchdown precariously near one of many course’s signature azalea bushes. What adopted turned an immediate viral sensation throughout social media platforms.
Decided to save lots of par on the vital gap, the 39-year-old golfer acquired down on his palms and knees and crawled partially into the flowering shrubbery to evaluate his ball’s place and attainable escape routes.
“I may see a small window,” Kizzire defined afterward. “However I wanted to get my eye stage proper with the ball to actually perceive what I used to be working with. Typically you have to do what you have to do.”
Tv cameras caught the 6-foot-5 golfer in a clumsy sprawl, with simply his legs seen as he disappeared into the pink and white azaleas. The Masters’ sometimes subdued crowd could not include their amusement, with laughter rippling throughout Amen Nook.
CBS commentator Jim Nantz remarked through the broadcast, “In all my years protecting this match, I’ve by no means seen a participant fairly so… immersed in Augusta’s horticulture.”
Remarkably, after extracting himself from the foliage and eradicating a number of leaves from his hat and shirt, Kizzire managed to execute a fragile chip shot that rolled inside eight ft of the cup. He then sank the putt for an unbelievable par save.
Fellow competitor Max Homa later tweeted, “Patton on the market enjoying cover and search on the Masters. Respect the dedication.”
Inside hours, memes and video clips of “The Shrubbery Shot” had garnered tens of millions of views on-line. One viral edit set Kizzire’s azalea journey to David Attenborough-style nature documentary narration.
Regardless of the momentary comedy, Kizzire’s dedication mirrored the intense problem Augusta Nationwide presents to even the world’s finest golfers. His restoration demonstrated the artistic problem-solving usually required on the Masters.
“Augusta Nationwide assessments each facet of your recreation, together with your willingness to get your garments soiled,” Kizzire joked throughout his post-round interview. “The dry cleansing invoice this week may be a bit increased than standard.”
Kizzire completed his spherical with a decent 2-over 74, preserving him in rivalry heading into tomorrow’s second spherical. However no matter the place he finishes on the leaderboard, his crawling escapade has already secured his place in Masters folklore.
As three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson noticed, “That is what makes Augusta particular. Yearly, one thing occurs that you have by no means seen earlier than.”
