BEFORE the intense four-day battle of the Masters tournament at Augusta, fans and players get to enjoy a calming welcome to the competition – the Par 3 contest.

The fan-favourite curtain raiser is always entertaining, but the real action of the highly anticipated Major is what most fans look forward to.

The Masters competition proper gets underway on April 11 with the 88-man field taking to the course to battle it out for the chance to don the iconic Green Jacket.

And this year sees a number of exciting talents going head-to-head on the fairways with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and last year’s winner Jon Rahm amongst the favourites.

While the Georgia patrons will also be pleased to hear that five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods is set to return to Augusta to take part in this year’s competition.

The world’s best golfers will first unwind and attempt to take their minds off the competition with the Par 3 contest before the action begins.

What is The Masters Par 3 contest?

The Masters Par 3 contest is a long-standing tradition that allows players and their families to get together for some lighthearted golf before they get down to business on the Thursday.

Dating back more than six decades, the contest sees players face off on a nine-hole course consisting entirely of par 3 holes on the Augusta National grounds.

Both tournament competing players and non-competing former Masters champions take part in the beloved tradition that is no stranger to a hole-in-one.

With all nine holes ranging from just 90 to 155 yards the pros are prone to sinking a hole-in-one when they take part in the contest which has seen 107 made since the tradition began.

Families are often also spotted on the course alongside the players with wives and children of the stars seen caddying during the Par 3 contest – with some even sneaking in a few swings here and there.

When is The Masters Par 3 contest?

• The Masters Par 3 contest will take place on Wednesday, April 10 – the day before the tournament proper gets underway.
• The event is expected to begin around 12pm in the US, meaning a 5pm start for viewers in the UK.
• It will take place on the Par 3 course at Augusta National in Georgia, USA.

How to watch The Masters Par 3 contest?

Fans in both the UK and the USA will be able to watch the event on Masters.com via a live stream from 2pm-5pm.

ESPN will also broadcast the Par 3 contest in the USA from 3pm-5pm ET.

Who is competing in The Masters Par 3 contest?

It is not yet clear which stars will be competing in this year’s Par 3 contest.

Every single competing player and former Masters winner is invited to take part, but not all invitees will join in the family event.

Some stars choose to take part in the contest but not submit a score, opting for a more laid-back approach to their final day before the Masters tournament gets underway.

Rory McIlroy will reportedly arrive at Augusta on the Tuesday of Masters week and plans to skip the Par 3 contest as he looks to end his long quest for a Green Jacket.

Past winners

Winners of the Par 3 contest get to take home an engraved crystal bowl, but it’s not a prize that most players would like to be the recipient of.

Famously no golfer has won the Par 3 contest and the Masters tournament in the same year – creating a looming Par 3 curse for the winner.

Here’s a look at everyone to win the contest in previous years: