The cherished Masters Par 3 Contest has returned for its 63rd year, continuing a tradition loved by players and fans alike.
Since its inception in 1960, with Sam Snead as the first winner, this contest offers a relaxed and enjoyable competition. Masters participants and past champions are invited to play a specially designed, shorter nine-hole course. It`s a common and heartwarming sight to see golfers accompanied by family members, famous personalities, spouses, or children acting as their caddies.
Despite the casual atmosphere, the competitive spirit remains alive, and players are still aiming for victory.
Throughout the history of the Par 3 Contest, an impressive 112 holes-in-one have been achieved. In 2024 alone, five remarkable aces were recorded by Luke List, Gary Woodland, Sepp Straka, Lucas Glover, and Viktor Hovland.
An interesting superstition surrounds the contest: players who are serious contenders for the Masters tournament might intentionally avoid winning the Par 3 Contest. This belief stems from the fact that no Par 3 Contest winner has ever gone on to win the Masters in the same year.
Here`s a look at some of the standout and most entertaining moments from this year`s Par 3 Contest:
Sammy Spieth Inaugurates the Fun
The crowd erupted in cheers as Jordan Spieth`s young son, Sammy, took an enthusiastic swing at the ball, kicking off the day`s festivities.
Managing the Young Caddies
Balancing parenting duties with golfing can be quite the challenge, and attempting to do both simultaneously presents a unique set of comical difficulties on the course.
Bubba Watson`s Near Ace
Bubba Watson`s shot came incredibly close to being a hole-in-one. Could this near-perfect shot be a promising indication of his performance in the main tournament to come?
Faldo`s Close Call
Nick Faldo also experienced the frustration of a near hole-in-one, with his shot just narrowly missing the cup.
Golfing Talent Runs Deep
Billy Horschel`s daughter showcased her golfing genes with an impressive putt, demonstrating skill beyond her years.
First Hole-in-One Achieved!
After several tantalizingly close attempts, Keegan Bradley marked the first ace of the 2025 Par 3 Contest, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Another Ace on the Board!
Tom Hoge followed up with the second hole-in-one of the day, delivering an absolutely stunning shot that landed straight in the cup.
Burns` Unbelievable Putt
Sam Burns seemed to have missed a challenging putt from the rough, but then, in a moment of magic, it found its way into the hole.
Third Ace of the Day!
Brooks Koepka added to the excitement by recording the third and final hole-in-one of the 2025 Par 3 Contest, capping off a day of incredible shots.
And the Winner Is…
…Nicolas Echavarria! The question now is whether he can defy the Par 3 Masters curse and carry this momentum into the main tournament.