The 86th Masters unofficially kicks off Wednesday as one of the great mini-traditions within the tradition unlike any other. The Masters Par 3 Contest, held each Wednesday prior to the beginning of championship competition, returns for the first time since 2019 after being postponed two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Par 3 course is nestled on the property near the 18 holes of grandeur that will decide the 2022 Masters champion, but the competition comes with much less tension than what we expect to see at Augusta National on Sunday.
It is — first and foremost — a family event with many of the golfers’ significant others and children joining them on the course dressed in the signature all-white Augusta National caddie jumpsuits. There is an official winner each year, but mostly it serves as a great way for players to take a load off before the stressful days ahead. In fact, not everyone keeps score. One bit of warning for the Par 3 Contest winner: You’re unlikely to go on to win the Masters. In fact, it has never happened before.
The Par 3 Contest was originally held in 1960, and ever since, there have been an astounding 90 holes-in-one made — including nine (!) in 2016. We also get to see children taking putts on the green, golfers trying trick shots to skip it across the water and more. CBS Sports will be with you the entire way as preparation continues for the 2022 Masters. Keep it locked here, and view our complete viewer’s guide.
Watch all four rounds of the 2022 Masters starting Thursday with Masters Live as we follow the best golfers in the world throughout Augusta National with Featured Groups, check in at the famed Amen Corner and see leaders round the turn on holes 15 & 16. Watch live on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports App and Paramount+.
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Play begins!
After about a one-hour weather delay, the Par 3 Contest is off and running. Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel gets things started, beginning an annual tradition that we missed in 2020 and 2021.
The Par 3 course is located in the northeast corner of the property, situated just on the other side of the 10th hole. The nine holes range in distance from 70-140 yards and the winner gets a crystal bowl for the lowest score. Of course, there is a “curse” for the winner of the Par 3 Contest as no one has ever won on Wednesday and then claimed a green jacket on Sunday. The best ever Masters finish for by a Par 3 Contest is runner-up, done twice (1990 Raymond Floyd, 1993 Chip Beck).
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The Par 3 Course was first opened in 1958 and the Par 3 Contest was first held in 1960. Exactly 100 hole-in-ones have been made in the event’s history, with notable aces ranging from Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler going back-to-back on the same hole in 2016 or 15-year-old G.T. Nicklaus, grandson of six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus, finding the bottom of the cup on the 9th hole in 2018.
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i do hope we get the Par 3 Contest in today. The event was taken off the schedule in 2020 and 2021 as a precaution because of the spread of COVID-19, but even having the event would not have been the same without a full gallery. The patrons are a big part of what make the event cool, as participants get to have some fun in a relaxed, family atmosphere the day before the start of championship play
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It’s a disappointing but not totally unexpected development to see weather impact the day’s events at Augusta National Golf Club. The property had to be cleared of patrons on Tuesday for inclement weather as well and the forecast indicated the potential for storms, wind and rain on Wednesday as well. The good news for the championship is this front is expected to clear out by Friday and leave behind some sunny (but cooler and windy) conditions for the weekend.
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Play has been suspended
There is currently an isolated thunderstorm warning at Augusta National. As such, patrons are seeking shelter and golfers are off the course until the warning is lifted. That not only means that numerous golfers will not be able to continue their practice rounds, but the Par 3 Contest is at least delayed before it has even started with a planned kickoff time of noon ET. There is a 90% chance of rain at this time, and the chance of precipitation be between 60%-75% for the remainder of the afternoon. The questions now are whether the Par 3 Contest begins at all and whether golfers who wanted to get more practice time in will get the opportunity before the end of the day.
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Weather may be an issue
Inclement weather in Augusta, Georgia, may put a halt to the Par 3 Contest before it even begins. Though the temperature (76 degrees) and wind (9 mph) are manageable for playing, there is a 90% chance of rain as play is supposed to begin at noon ET. While that does reduce to 34% at the 1 p.m. hour, it will be back between 60%-75% for the remainder of the afternoon. Given many were hopeful of playing in the Par 3 Contest after two years of it not being held, conditions could certainly be better.
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