What is Masters Par 3 Contest? A guide to the family-friendly pre-tournament event

A family-friendly, light-hearted appetizer for the Masters main course, the annual Par 3 Contest provides some of the most charming moments of the entire week at Augusta National Golf Club.

The nine-hole exhibition brings the 2024 Masters entrants together with past Masters champions for some fun and frivolity before the competition gets serious the following day. Significant others and children are invited to tag along as caddies during the round, even wearing the traditional all-white uniforms, in an event that dates back to 1960.

Adding to the cute factor, you may even see some of the caddies attempt a putt or two.

When is Masters Par 3 Contest 2024?

The Masters Par 3 Contest is held the Wednesday before the tournament gets underway at Augusta National's nine-hole, par-27 course.

The 2024 Masters Tournament runs Thursday through Sunday.

What time is Masters Par 3 Contest 2024?

The Masters Par 3 Contest gets underway at noon ET on Wednesday, April 10.

How many holes are Masters Par 3 Contest?

The contest is a single round, nine holes with par-27, and features holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards. 

How to watch Masters Par 3 Contest

The Par 3 Contest will air Wednesday on ESPN from 3-5 p.m. ET. It will be streamed live on Masters.com and the Masters app from 2-5 p.m. ET.

When did Masters Par 3 Contest begin?

The Par 3 Contest tradition started in 1960, with Sam Snead winning the first event. 

"I like the idea of the Par 3 (Contest) the day before the Masters," Snead said at the event's inaugural edition. "It gives the boys confidence and I know it gave me confidence that I can hit the greens and sink the putts."

Who won 2023 Masters Par 3 Contest?

American Tom Hoge won last year's Par 3 Contest at 6-under par. He missed the cut in the Masters Tournament.

Is it bad luck to win the Masters Par 3 Contest?

Apparently, yes. No player has ever won the Par 3 Contest and then gone on to win the Masters in the same year.

The closest any Par 3 Contest winner has come to claiming the Green Jacket was as runner-up, accomplished in 1990 by Ray Floyd and 1993 by Chip Beck.

Contributing: Cydney Henderson