Frankie Fleetwood Falls Short on Ike's Pond at Par 3 Contest

AUGUSTA, Ga. Eight-year-old Frankie Fleetwood captured the attention of the crowd at Augusta National on Wednesday during the Par 3 Contest, the lighthearted prelude to the Masters tournament, as he attempted to clear Ike's Pond on the ninth hole for the second straight year.

The son of professional golfer Tommy Fleetwood, Frankie had gone viral last year after expressing his determination to reach the 120-yard green despite falling short. This time, all eyes turned to him even after his father recorded a hole-in-one on the fourth hole while playing alongside Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. Frankie admitted limited confidence beforehand but noted he felt good after practicing on the range that afternoon.

With a crowd gathered tightly around the eighth and ninth holes, Frankie struck his first tee shot solidly but off line, sending the ball splashing into the water right of the green. As he slumped in disappointment, spectators chanted for another try, prompting a mulligan. On his second attempt, he made strong contact again, but the ball landed just short by a few feet. "Nearly got it. A few inches, maybe," Frankie said afterward. His father praised the effort: "He was happy with...