The Japan Times - Cricketer De Villiers gets a Masters hit with pal Bezuidenhout

De Villiers served as caddie for 57th-ranked Bezuidenout in the Par-Three Contest, played on the eve of the 89th Masters, and tested his luck with a sand wedge.

"I hit a nice little sand wedge in there, found the green, spun back to the front fringe area. I'm pretty happy," de Villiers said. "I was completely numb. Could hardly breathe. I'm happy with the result.

"Absolute privilege," he added. "Glad to be here. I've been watching this event since I was three-years old. It's great to be here with my mate and walk the golf course."

The Par-Three Contest gives players a relaxing afternoon before the intensity of the year's first major begins.

"It was great to have one of my friends here as well to caddie for me," said Bezuidenhout, who is preparing for his fourth Masters appearance.

"We've probably known each other 10, 12 years. We've played a lot of golf together. We played a lot of pro-ams together back in South Africa."

Bezuidenhout admits he wouldn't want the same chance on a cricket pitch with de Villiers and company.

"I'm really scared of a cricket ball," Bezuidenhout said. "I've never played cricket with him. I've played a lot of golf with him."

Bezuidenhout tried to explain de Villiers to reporters in terms Americans might understand, comparing him to retired NFL legend Tom Brady.

"He's probably not as famous in America, but around the world he's very famous. He's like the Tom Brady of cricket," Bezuidenhout said.

De Villiers, considered by cricket fans as one of the finest and most explosive batsmen of his generation, interjected: "I'm right here, guys. I'm standing right here."

De Villiers spent 14 years on South Africa's national team, captaining them in all three formats of the game, and his pal added details on his time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 competition.

"He has been in the IPL for a long time," Bezuidenhout said. "He's a good cricketing legend all around the world. I'm honored to call him a friend as well."

De Villiers noted he was at Augusta National in 2022 to see Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked defending champion, capture his first major title.

"It was pretty special," he said. "It's more special with him (Bezuidenhout) around. I'll be following him around and hopefully be there on Sunday. We'll see."

Bezuidenhout's best Masters finish was level 38th in 2020 in his debut.

"Just trying to put myself in a position on the weekend," he said.

H.Takahashi--JT