Practice makes perfect for Darren Clarke (Getty Images).

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Darren Clarke already has one special memory from Masters week - a hole-in-one at the 16th.

Unfortunately, the Irishman achieved the feat in practice rather than in the tournament - and he needed three attempts too.

Two eight-irons came up short, so Clarke switched to a seven and saw the ball pitch 30 feet past the flag, but then take the slope and roll into the cup for a huge roar.

"I finally got it right," he said.

It was certainly one way to solve the problems of putting on greens much harder than they were after heavy rain last year.

"They are seriously fast," added Clarke, who led after an opening 66 12 months ago but fell away to 28th.

Seven players have aced the 170-yard 16th in the Masters, including England's Clive Clark.

Clarke achieved his ace despite having cut the thumb on his left hand two days ago.

"I did it taking a label off a piece of clothing," he said. He insists it is not bothering him.

The 35-year-old's failure to build on his start last year was responsible for him embarking on a new fitness regime which has seen him lose approaching three stones.

"I go the gym six days a week for two hours, I'm not drinking beer and I'm very careful about what I eat," he added.

It has meant adjustments in his swing and now comes the acid test on whether he can perform better when slimmer.

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