Masters 2025: Anticipation Builds Ahead of Par-3 Contest

AUGUSTA, Ga. — As the sun rises on April 9, 2025, golf enthusiasts prepare for the annual Par-3 Contest, a beloved warm-up ahead of the prestigious Masters Tournament. Scheduled for Wednesday, this event allows PGA Tour players to practice alongside their families, creating a festive atmosphere before the competition.

The Par-3 course, established in 1960, features a nine-hole layout that winds around DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike’s Pond. Among its notable holes, the shortest is a mere 90 yards, while the longest stretches 155 yards. Despite the relaxed vibe of the contest, no player has ever won both the Par-3 Contest and the Masters in the same year, although 12 golfers have accomplished this feat in separate years.

One player to watch this year is Rickie Fowler. Despite finishing tied for 30th in the tournament last year, Fowler is known for his impressive performance in past Par-3 events, including a hole-in-one in 2018.

This year’s Par-3 contest promises to be a breezy and relaxed lead-in to the high-stakes golf of the Masters, showcasing camaraderie among the players before the tournament’s serious undertones take over. The official proceedings for the Masters will commence on Thursday with golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson serving as honorary starters. The first tee time is set for 7:25 a.m. ET.

In addition to tradition, the Par-3 event has its own records. The original low score was set by Art Wall Jr. in 1965 at 7-under par, a record only matched by Gay Brewer in 1973. This longstanding mark was surpassed by Jimmy Walker in 2016, who scored an impressive 8-under par. In the last decade, Walker, along with Matt Wallace in 2019 and Tom Hoge in 2023, has registered holes-in-one during the warm-up.

Fans can live stream the Par-3 Contest through Masters.com and the Masters App, ensuring that the excitement of the weekend is accessible to all. As anticipation builds for the $20 million purse and the iconic green jacket, the Par-3 event serves as a reminder of the charm and history embedded in the Masters Tournament.

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