Where next for hole-in-one specialist Shane Lowry? Martin Dempster's Masters Diary

The Shane Lowry question

Where next for Shane Lowry? That’s the question after the Irishman added to his ‘Signature Holes in One’ in golf.

Lowry created history when he aced the sixth hole at Augusta National on Saturday, becoming the first player to make multiple holes-in-one here after his ace at the sixth in 2016.

The 2019 Open champion has also had holes-in-one at the 17th at TPC Sawgrass and seventh at Pebble Beach.

The 12th at Augusta National would be a good one to add to that list, as well, of course, as would the Postage Stamp - the eighth hole - at Royal Troon and the 16th - Calamity - at Royal Portrush.

Why azaleas are losing colour early

They’d come and gone really before the final round and Augusta’s iconic azaleas are facing mounting challenges due to climate change.

It’s due to tree canopy loss from Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc in the area in September 2024.

“With canopy loss, it allows for direct sunlight, which can cause them to burn up,” said Campbell Vaughn, a University of Georgia Extension agent and a columnist for the Augusta Chronicle.

On climate change, Anthony Simmons, a Columbia County University of Georgia Extension agent, added: “Increasing warm spells in the winter can lead to azaleas trying to bloom early. If those flower buds swell and then are hit by a hard frost, it can result in fewer flowers that year.”

Usual frenzy in Masters media lottery

The Masters media lottery created its normal frenzy after the lucky few were announced for a Monday hit at Augusta National.

Riath Al-Samarrai, the Daily Mail’s golf correspondent and sitting throughout the week at my right-hand side, was one of those to make the list.

Ever since, he’s been scurrying about trying to fix up clubs, change flights and he was even heading off to buy a pair of trousers after fearing the only pair he’d brought with him might be classed as denim.

In contrast, Philip Reid, the golf writer for the Irish Times, came prepared after deciding to put his name in the hat for the first time in 29 years only to suffer the disappointment of not making the list.

How you can make ‘cool’ call from course

It’s no secret, of course, that mobile phones aren’t allowed at Augusta National.

Former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia was reportedly thrown out of the place this week for breaking that rule.

Patrons, however, can still make a phone call from the course as there are banks of landline phones around the course.

One of the best parts about using them? On mobile phone caller ID, the number comes up with “Augusta, GA” as the city while on landline ID it comes up as “Augusta National”.