Proteas legend AB de Villiers was stunned at Augusta Nationwide on Wednesday because of his {golfing} pal Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
LIVE | Masters 2025 at Augusta Nationwide – Spherical 1
De Villiers served as caddie for 57th-ranked Bezuidenout within the Par-Three Contest, performed on the eve of the 89th Masters, and examined his luck with a sand wedge.
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“I hit a pleasant little sand wedge in there, discovered the inexperienced, spun again to the entrance fringe space. I’m fairly comfortable,” de Villiers stated.
“I used to be fully numb. Might hardly breathe. I’m proud of the consequence.
“Absolute privilege,” he added.
“Glad to be right here. I’ve been watching this occasion since I used to be three-years outdated. It’s nice to be right here with my mate and stroll the golf course.”
The Par-Three Contest offers gamers a soothing afternoon earlier than the depth of the yr’s first main begins.
“It was nice to have considered one of my associates right here as nicely to caddie for me,” stated Bezuidenhout, who’s making ready for his fourth Masters look.
“We’ve most likely recognized one another 10, 12 years. We’ve performed a variety of golf collectively. We performed a variety of pro-ams collectively again in South Africa.”
Bezuidenhout admits he wouldn’t need the identical likelihood on a cricket pitch with De Villiers and firm.
“I’m actually frightened of a cricket ball,” Bezuidenhout stated.
“I’ve by no means performed cricket with him. I’ve performed a variety of golf with him.”
‘Tom Brady of cricket’
Bezuidenhout tried to elucidate De Villiers to reporters in phrases Individuals may perceive, evaluating him to retired NFL legend Tom Brady.
“He’s most likely not as well-known in America, however all over the world he’s very well-known. He’s just like the Tom Brady of cricket,” Bezuidenhout stated.
De Villiers, thought-about by cricket followers as one of many best and most explosive batsmen of his technology, interjected: “I’m proper right here, guys. I’m standing proper right here.”
De Villiers spent 14 years on South Africa’s nationwide group, captaining them in all three codecs of the sport, and his pal added particulars on his time within the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“He has been within the IPL for a very long time,” Bezuidenhout stated.
“He’s a very good cricketing legend all all over the world. I’m honoured to name him a pal as nicely.”
De Villiers famous he was at Augusta Nationwide in 2022 to see Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked defending champion, seize his first main title.
“It was fairly particular,” he stated.
“It’s extra particular with him (Bezuidenhout) round. I’ll be following him round and hopefully be there on Sunday. We’ll see.”
Bezuidenhout’s greatest Masters end was stage thirty eighth in 2020 in his debut.
“Simply making an attempt to place myself able on the weekend,” he stated.
As reported by The South African web site, there are three South Africans within the 95-player area for this yr’s Masters.
Bezuidenhout might be joined by Thriston Lawrence and 2011 winner, Charl Schwartzel.
Lawrence will begin his opening spherical on Thursday at 17:10 (SA time), alongside Spain’s Jose-Maria Olazabal and American Brian Campbell.
Bezuidenhout will get his event beneath approach at 17:38 (SA time) alongside two Individuals in Tom Hoge and Matt McCarty.
Lastly, Schwazrtzel has been paired alongside American Denny McCarthy and Singapore newbie Hiroshi Tai.
They may tee off at 17:49 (SA time).
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