The Par 3 Contest | Hallowed Grounds: The Story of Augusta National

There is really nothing else like it in all of sports.

A moment each year when a player's preparation for one of the world's most exacting tests rather stunningly hits pause.

>> 1, 2, 3.

>> I, think, it, humanizes, players, in, a, way that no other event in the world does.

Where else do you see the top competitors in their sport interrupt their pursuit of greatness for the greatest family time one can imagine?

>> Now, it's, builtin, time, for, relaxation, for these guys to spend with their favorite people on the planet. It's really

special.

[Music] >> Generations, of, champions, coming, together to celebrate the good of the game in a way only Augusta National and the Masters can. It really brings all the

Masters can. It really brings all the sights and sounds and feelings of the masters into a more fun, light-hearted environment.

>> The, most, relaxed, movie would, be, all week.

>> The, moments, on, the, power, three, contest, there are moments that you remember for years to come.

>> You've, got, the, biggest, tournament, on, the biggest stage and the most important week of the year and then you've got something happening that's more important on Wednesday.

No course in the world can match Augusta National for beauty.

The atmosphere, the occasion is unique as is a traditional warm-up competition on the delightful par 3 course.

The annual par contest has become one of the most beloved traditions at the Masters, held on the eve of that critical tone setting first round. a

time to decompress.

>> Just, to, experience, it, with, the, kids, is uh see how excited they are. They think

the Masters is their tournament. They

look forward to it all year. Being out

here with our family, it's pretty awesome.

>> Every, Mast's, week, for, me,, it's, it, seems like it gets bigger and bigger in each and every year. And I think to do something like this, you know, for me at least, it makes me forget about all of that for a couple hours on the Wednesday afternoon. And it's just a really nice

afternoon. And it's just a really nice way and like a a relaxed way to go into the the sort of business end of the week.

The par 3 course opened in 1958, but the origin of a short course at Augusta National begins much further back.

The original design plans for Augusta National by famed architect Dr. Aleister McKenzie included a nine green 18-hole approach and putt course measuring some

2400 yards.

For years, the design lived only on paper. The proposed area was too

paper. The proposed area was too difficult to develop. until eventually

it wasn't.

In the late 1950s, club co-founder Clifford Roberts decided once and for all it was time and called upon architect George Cobb.

Together, they laid out plans for a short course to be built near Dodto Springs Pond and Iikes Pond, a fishing pond famously built for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, where he could throw a

D. Eisenhower, where he could throw a line during his frequent stays at Augusta National.

The par three course was built to be enjoyed by all, serving as a standalone experience or to prepare players for their rounds on the big course. Green

complexes across both courses are similar in slope, speed, and beauty.

Club co-founder Bobby Jones wrote, "I agree completely that the construction of this golf course will be an important contribution to the beauty of the place.

>> A, new, feature, this, year,, a, special preliminary event was held on Wednesday.

This was a tournament on the 9-hole par just east of the main clubhouse."

>> In, 1960,, 2, years, after, the, short, course was built, the annual Mast's par three contest was born.

Crowds enjoyed watching the stars tackle this short but exact course.

>> The, latest, in, a, long, lineage, of pre-ournament exhibitions which over the years had included driving contests instructional clinics, and trickshot shows.

The par three contest would be a stroke play competition open to the entire field, plus other invitees not competing in the masters. Yet another enduring

tradition was off and running.

>> Late, in, the, day,, the, crowd, saw, Sam Sneeed, winner on the big course three times. Bows fast to win the par three

times. Bows fast to win the par three tourney. Are you going to give me good

tourney. Are you going to give me good reads?

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

>> It's, a, welcome, and, maybe, a, necessary decompressor for the players. I think

they welcome the experience. There's so

much anticipation because gosh, the last major was in July. There's a lot of pressure that's built up to anticipation and maybe right at the last minute before the Thursday ton. It's great to

just relax a bit. I once described it as a picnic in heaven.

>> When, discussing, the, course,, twotime Mast's champion Ben Krenshaw once said "It was the first really great parry course I had ever played. But it's more

than a novelty. It's a little piece of art."

art." Like many things at Augusta National the course has been improved through the years. Most notably in 1978, its greens

years. Most notably in 1978, its greens were converted to bent grass from a hybrid Bermuda. The experiment was such

hybrid Bermuda. The experiment was such a success that two years later, bent greens were installed on the big course allowing for smoother surfaces throughout the season. And before the

2023 Masters, the course was again renovated to enhance the patron experience with widened corridors and bring one of two ponds on the course to Sodto Springs more into play on the

first five holes.

>> It, does, feel, like, it, has, that, outdoor like a jazz concert with the lakes and everything and and everything's very languid and smooth.

>> It's, a, day, for, the, patrons, as, much, as the players. A chance to see magic in

the players. A chance to see magic in the middle of the week.

and famous faces abound, often seen inside the ropes and on the job.

Through the contest's 60 plus years, the facts and figures are just as interesting as the history. The shortest

hole is only 90 yards, and the longest measures some 155.

As of 2025, there have been 115 holes in one. Three-time Masters champion Gary

one. Three-time Masters champion Gary Player leading the way with four of his own.

>> My, grandson,, he's, seven,, he, said, "Gramps, you still got it."

>> In, 2016,, Justin, Thomas, and, Ricky, Fowler playing in the same group made backto back holes in one on number four.

[Music] In 2023, Irishman Sheamus Power amazingly made backto back holes in one on eight and nine.

>> To, get, one, was, special,, but, to, get, the second one was um yeah, a bit surreal.

>> But, perhaps, the, most, famous, hole-in-one isn't counted in the official tally. In

2018, while catting for his legendary grandfather and sixtime Mast's champion Jack Nicholas, GT Nicholas did the unthinkable on number nine.

Yes.

>> Certainly, six, green, jackets, are, pretty special, but I think it's the best day I've ever had at Augusta National. Today

was a very, very special day and one obviously I'll never forget. That same

year, twotime Mast's champion Tom Watson won the par three contest, becoming the oldest winner at the age of 68. He is

one of 12 Mast's champions to have won the contest. Masters champions have an

the contest. Masters champions have an open invitation to compete in the contest as long as they would like. An

annual opportunity to turn back the clock.

>> I, can, make, this, nine., I'm, not, sure, about anything else.

>> Podrick, Harington, has, the, most, wins, with three. And Jimmy Walker is the only

three. And Jimmy Walker is the only player to break 20. He fired an eight under 19 to win in 2016.

Each year, the winner walks away with a beautiful crystal ball. And famously, no player has ever been able to win the par three contest and the Masters tournament

in the same year. As they say, you can't win them all.

[Music] [Applause] I love this tradition at the Masters.

It's probably my favorite of all the cool things that we have this week >> because, I, have, an, opportunity, to, have, my kids, my wife, and just family, you know, be around me inside the ropes have a good time. It's kind of like the

calm before the storm.

>> Beyond, the, moments, and, numbers,, over, the years, the par three contest has evolved into one of the most endearing aspects of Mast's week.

Wives, girlfriends, and children typically serve as the player's caddies and it's common for them to step up and take a shot or two.

Once someone other than the player hits a shot, however, the player cannot win the contest. A useful strategy for those

the contest. A useful strategy for those who don't fancy their chances of becoming the first player to break the drought.

>> Thank, you, so, much., My, name's, Jack,, too.

>> It, is.

>> Yep.

>> There, you, go,, Jack.

>> Thank, you.

This, is, Aelia., Aelia, del, Garcia., It's a little girl.

>> It's, just, like, that, builtin, time, where, I think even if you are on edge or nervous for this event, you're going to have at least a couple hours of complete

relaxation and fun. Kids make everything better, right? They bring so much

better, right? They bring so much happiness to these players. You can't

not be having the time of your life over at the part three contest.

It is more like homage to the families who sacrifice so much for each of these players to become stars. I don't think

any other sport in the world does something like this. to see a golfer with their kids. It's just not something they see every day for that, you know, 6

hours in the afternoon on Wednesday.

It's just like I mean it's heaven.

>> There's, no, other, sport, in, the, world, that brings generations together better than golf. Especially at the par three

golf. Especially at the par three contest, >> a, day, to, honor, those, who, so, often, have to watch their loved ones compete from afar.

The family atmosphere around this event is is amazing. And the fans and everybody, they embrace it so much.

For us to be golfers that we want to be successful like we want to be. We have

to have a strong family behind us.

>> A, needed, exhale, before, their, entire lives may well change forever.

>> I, think, it, all, kind, of, goes, back, to, that this tournament encompasses the entire community of golf, not just the golfers.

um the fans, the family, those even watching back home on TV. It's

definitely one of the most unique traditions in professional golf. It

feels like for a second you're not about to hit, you know, maybe the most important shot of your life. It's cool

to see the players let loose and kind of put their guard down, especially with such a huge week coming up for them.

>> Frankie,, how, much, have, you, been practicing this next shot on the ninth T?

>> Well,, I've, been, doing, my, hardest, to, get it over the green. I've been practicing as hard as I can. Just not reaching it this year, but I'm just trying my hardest.

>> You, got, this,, Frankie., You, all, get, to hit this screen.

[Music]