Is there a Par 3 course at the Masters?

In Augusta, Georgia, the Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Tournament, one of golf's four major championships, every year. Established in 1934, it was originally known as the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament" before co-founder Clifford Roberts suggested renaming it to "The Masters" in 1939. The course was designed by golf course architect Alister MacKenzie and Masters co-founder Bobby Jones. Except for a brief hiatus from 1943 to 1945 due to World War II, the tournament has been played every year.

However, the Masters Tournament has not been one of the golf majors since the beginning but eventually became one due to popular opinion. It is also heavy in tradition, like the green jacket, the champions dinner, the par-3 contest, and an honorary opening ceremony. Further, certain etiquette must be followed by patrons as well, like a no cellphone policy, no running, and no calling out names, though cheering is welcomed, among others.

The Masters Par 3 Course

The Par-3 course at the Masters Tournament was designed by George Cobb in 1958, near Ike's Pond and DeSoto Springs Pond. It is a nine-hole, 27-par golf course. The course record is held by Jimmy Walker, who shot 8 under par, 19, in 2016. Back in the 1950s, the professionals participating in the event were used to practicing on Wednesdays and having casual long-drive competitions. Socializing and interaction were important then due to the "grow-the-game" movement. Finally, in 1958, the Wednesdays of the Masters week became the official Par-3 contest and tradition to be followed since then.

The brainchild for a par-3 course at the Masters was Alister MacKenzie, who, while designing the main course, thought of designing a short 18-hole course too alongside it in the 1930s. In 1958, Robert Clifford hired George Cobb to design the par-3 course.

What is a Par 3 Contest?

The Par-3 contest of the Masters is a friendly contest played on a nine-hole, 27-par course with invited family members in caddie uniforms. Their uniforms are typical Masters caddie white jumpsuits with Masters caps, specially made for them. The contest has no pressure of the actual Masters event; thus, full swings and odd putts are common. However, there is a superstition surrounding the contest too, as per which the winner of the par-3 contest never wins the main Masters Tournament.

The Masters Par-3 Contest Winners

Sam Snead, the golfer with the record for the most PGA Tour wins (82), tied with Tiger Woods, was the first to win at the Par-3 contest. By that time, Snead had already won three Masters Tournaments in 1949, 1952, and 1954.

The Par-3 contest winners of the Masters Tournament year by year are as follows: