Masters 2023 Par-3 competition: All you need to know

Modified Apr 05, 2023 14:10 GMT

The Masters - Par 3 Contest — Rory McIlroy with his wife during the 2022 Masters Par-3 contest

The Masters is all about tradition, whether it is a Champions Dinner, sacred Green Jacket, or a Par-3 contest. While Tuesday, April 4, was the day of all former winners sharing the table at the Champions Dinner, Wednesday, April 5, will be all about the Par-3 contest, a Masters tradition dedicated to families of golf professionals.

The Par-3 contest is a light-hearted family event that takes place a day before the main event. Former winners and golfers from the current year's-field are invited to play nine holes at the Par 3 course of Augusta National Golf Club.

Golfers come along with their wives, partners, girlfriends, children, or other family members who perform the duty of caddie in the contest, wearing an all-white jumpsuit as a dress code. Family members sometimes get the chance to hit a hole or two.

History of Par-3 contest

Sam Snead was the first winner of the Masters Par-3 contest in 1960

Augusta National chairman Clifford Roberts initiated the Par-3 contest. His idea was to have some kind of pre-tournament entertainment. Despite facing opposition from other club members, he was able to establish it, and it has now become an important tradition.

The first ever Par-3 contest was held before the 1960 Masters and was won by Sam Snead in 1960. Pádraig Harrington has won it the most (three) times, including victories in consecutive years (2003, 2004).

Mike Weir and Mackenzie Hughes are the current defending winners of the contest.

Here are the past winners of the Par-3 contest: