Every Wednesday of Masters week, players and their families head to Augusta National's nine-hole par-3 course for a relaxed, crowd-pleasing exhibition. The Par-3 Contest started in 1960 and has been a fan favorite ever since. Kids caddie, holes-in-one are common, and nobody who wins it has ever won the Masters in the same year.
Key Takeaways
- The Masters Par-3 Contest is a unique and beloved tradition leading up to the prestigious golf tournament.
- The contest takes place on a nine-hole, par-3 course adjacent to the main Augusta National course.
- The Par-3 Contest has a unique scoring format, with players competing for the lowest overall score and the honor of making a hole-in-one.
- Memorable moments, including aces and family caddies, have added to the allure and appeal of the Par-3 Contest.
Interested in who won? Check out the Masters Par 3 Contest Winners.
Format and Rules of the Par-3 Contest
The Par-3 Contest is played on Wednesday, the day before the first round. The course sits adjacent to the main Augusta National layout, with holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards.
Multiple groups start on different holes at the same time. Participants include current Masters competitors, past champions, honorary invitees, and their families, who often serve as caddies.
Scoring is simple: lowest total wins. Ties are settled in a sudden-death playoff. Holes-in-one happen almost every year and always get the loudest cheers of the day.
Some players skip the contest on purpose. The so-called "Par 3 Curse" holds that no one has ever won the Par-3 Contest and the Masters in the same year. Others see it as a chance to loosen up before Thursday's opening round.
Notable Moments in the Par-3 Contest
The contest has produced plenty of unforgettable moments. Aces, trick shots, family caddies, and genuine displays of sportsmanship all come with the territory.
In 2016, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson combined for 7-under par and had the crowd roaring. In 2018, Tom Watson's grandson Caleb served as his caddie and made a hole-in-one on the eighth hole. The clip went viral.
Moments like these are why the Par-3 Contest remains one of the most-watched events of Masters week.
The Future of the Par-3 Contest
The format has stayed mostly the same since 1960, but there have been occasional suggestions to add holes or expand eligibility. Any changes would face resistance from traditionalists.
Either way, the Par-3 Contest is not going anywhere. The family atmosphere, the aces, and the curse give it a personality no other pre-tournament event can match.
Wrapping Up
The Par-3 Contest, the Champions Dinner, and the Green Jacket are the three traditions that make Masters week feel different from every other tournament in golf. The Par-3 Contest is the lightest of the three, and that is exactly what makes it special.