McIlroy's hole-in-one wins practice match

The Irishman aced the 16th to win his practice match with Chris Wood 3&2

McIlroy's hole-in-one at the 16th hole at Augusta National with a 7-iron sealed victory over  Chris Wood 3&2 in a practice round on Monday for the 2016 US Masters .

The two had been playing for dinner, but surely the wine bill would have been McIlroy’s responsibility after that?

“The roar was large considering it was a practice round,” McIlroy said. “I don’t think I have ever heard a roar that large in a practice round. It was great, it had been a nice practice round and that was a bit of a highlight.”

“The 16th is not a pushover. Everyone thinks with the pin on the left it’s a decent chance but you get a pin on the right it’s a tough hole.”

“When he closes out with a hole-in-one to beat me 3&2, you can’t really do a lot about that,” Wood said afterwards of McIlroy's hole-in-one . “I suppose it wasn’t quite game over but when the crowd are chanting ‘Rory Rory’ and you’ve got to try and hit a seven iron to that flag there’s not much chance.”

“He’s a quality, quality player,” continued Wood when interviewed afterwards about McIlroy's hole-in-one. “I’ve played with just about everybody now and Rory is up there with everyone - very, very impressive. He’s going to be a favourite every year he comes back here and this year is no different.”

Rory McIlroy is seeking a win at Augusta to become only the sixth player to win all four Major titles, and add that missing trophy to the trophy cabinet at his home club, Holywood.

The five who have won all four Majors are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Nicklaus will be at Augusta, as a starter, but Tiger Woods is absent through injury.

Reflecting on his practice round as a whole the McIlroy said: “I played well, I feel like my game is in good shape”.