Masters Par 3 Contest coverage: Leaderboard, highlights from Rickie Fowler’s win

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The Masters Par 3 Contest, a nine-hole exhibition, brings the 2024 Masters entrants together with past Masters champions for some fun and frivolity before the competition gets serious the following day.

Some of golf's biggest names are competing in the Par 3 Contest: Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Fred Couples, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Bubba Watson. In the end, it was Fowler who emerged victorious.

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USA TODAY Sports provided leaderboard updates, highlights and more throughout the contest:

Rickie Fowler wins Par 3 contest

No one was able to catch Rickie Fowler and his toddler daughter, Maya. The six-time PGA Tour event winner can add a trophy from the Par 3 contest to his resume. He finished with a score of 5 under par on the nine-hole competition.

Fowler was in the third group of the day and maintained the lead through the afternoon. He will tee off at 10:06 a.m. ET with Patrick Cantlay and Min Woo Lee on Thursday in his first Masters appearance since 2020.

He has never won the main tournament at Augusta. A player has yet to win the Par 3 contest and the Masters in the same year. — Victoria Hernandez

Ryo Hisatsune’s girlfriend/caddie lands tricky drive

Step aside, Bryson DeChambeau, and let Rirua Furukawa show how it’s done.

After the 2020 U.S. Open winner struggled with the water on one of the final holes, Furukawa, Ryo Hisatsune’s girlfriend, made a perfect drive to land firmly on the green. She smiled and nodded to the crowd. She also serves as Hisatsune’s caddy and will be with him for the Masters starting Thursday. — Victoria Hernandez

Brooks Koepka helps baby son Crew make a putt

Brooks Koepka’s son, Crew, made his world debut in a big way.

After the golfer introduced his infant son earlier on the Par 3 broadcast, Koepka had Crew help him finish hole No. 9. Koepka held Crew up and held the club in between his hands. A little nudge and the ball went in the hole, much to the joy of the group and the fans. — Victoria Hernandez

Bryson DeChambeau makes ‘hole in one’ dunk after troubles with water

The crowd cheered as if it were a hole in one, but Bryson DeChambeau made par with his third stroke on hole No. 8.

After landing in the water twice, the 2020 U.S. Open winner put the ball on the tee yet again. A monster swing sent the ball flying and it plunked right into the cup. DeChambeau raised his hands with a wide grin and his group mates, Joaquin Niemann and Santiago de la Fuente, dapped him up and shook their heads in amazement. — Victoria Hernandez

Viktor Hovland scores hole in one, fifth of the day at Par 3 tournament

Count the third hole in one at hole No. 6.

Viktor Hovland is responsible for the latest exciting play, which is the fifth hole in one of the day. He shot the ball into the sky and it landed firmly on the green. It then slowly rolled and picked up speed before it dropped into the cup.

Hovland was met with cheers from Cameron Young’s family and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was one of the first women to become a member of Augusta National Golf Club.

The other hole in one shots at No. 6 were completed by Luke List and Gary Woodland. — Victoria Hernandez

Tony Finau shares love of golf with son Jraice

Tony Finau has his name etched in Par 3 history because he twisted his ankle while celebrating a hole in one back in 2018.

But he still enjoys the competition, especially because he can play with his oldest son, Jraice. The 12-year-old competes in the PGA Junior League and made a putt for his father at Augusta while he was mic’d up answering questions.

“I just enjoy playing with him since he loves the game as much as I do,” the father said. — Victoria Hernandez

Rickie Fowler maintains late lead at Par 3 contest

There’s about an hour left of play in the Par 3 contest and Rickie Fowler maintains his lead with a score of 5 under par. He has finished the nine-hole competition.

He is one stroke ahead of Kurt Kitayama, who is on the seventh hole, and two strokes ahead of Sepp Straka, J.T. Poston and Brooks Koepka. Straka and Poston are done for the day. Koepka is on the fourth hole. — Victoria Hernandez

Lucas Glover hits hole in one at Par 3

Keep ‘em coming!

Lucas Glover hit the fourth hole in one of the day at the Par 3 contest.

The 2009 U.S. Open winner accomplished the feat at hole No. 7. He struck a smooth swing and watched the ball soar before it dropped and bounced at the edge of the green in front of fans. Then, it rolled and rolled and dropped into the cup. — Victoria Hernandez

Brooks Koepka debuts baby at Par 3 Contest

Brooks Koepka and his wife, Jena Sims, debuted their baby boy at the Par 3 competition. The golfer held the infant in his arms as Sims revealed the child’s name is Crew and was born on July 27.

"No one has seen his face," she said.

"We’re excited. It’ll be a fun day,” Koepka said. "It’s like one of the coolest events you can do and then obviously, to do it with your family is super special."

He said that fatherhood has given him a new sense of responsibility.

"It’s crazy. It just reinforces that you’re a role model, not just to everybody else outside the ropes, but at home too," he said. "I think that’s been a big thing, a lot of patience, you learn that. It’s the best thing in the world, being a dad. I can’t explain it."

Sims explained how Koepka is at home compared to his fiercely competitive nature on the golf course.

"He becomes a different person," she said. "I wish the world knew the version of Brooks that I knew at home. He’s the best dad ever. He’s hilarious. He does smile believe it or not. He’s the best guy ever." — Victoria Hernandez

Jon Rahm feels less pressure after winning Masters

Last year’s Masters champion, Jon Rahm, is at the Par 3 Contest with his 3-year-old son, Kepa, whom he was holding while answering questions ahead of his tee time. Kepa’s bright blue eyes and blond curls stood out against the green course.

Rahm reflected on what it means to return to Augusta after winning his first Green Jacket.

"It’s hard to explain. It’s very hard to explain," he said. "It’s the first time I’ve came to the Par 3 and thought, you know what? Since I have already won the Masters, which is the hardest thing to do, maybe at some point in time, I can give it a try and win the Par 3."

He echoed the sentiments of several other golfers that the Par 3 contest is an opportunity to relieve stress ahead of the Masters.

"It’s a wonderful thing that they do this for us to relax a little bit, have fun and have our families involved before the tournament starts," he said. — Victoria Hernandez

Gary Woodland reflects on Par 3 Contest with son

Gary Woodland is having a day at the Par 3 competition ahead of the Masters.

The winner of the 2019 U.S. Open is making his return from having brain surgery in September to remove a tumor. He hit a hole in one on the No. 6 hole, which he said was "amazing."

But seeing his son, Jaxson, nail a putt was extra special.

"I was so happy for him," Woodland said. " … That was better than the hole in one for me."

When asked what he thought of his putt, Jaxson said, "good."

Many golfers see the Par 3 Contest as a mental break from the pressure of the Masters, where Woodland’s highest finish so far is 14th. He agrees about the positivity of the event.

"This puts it all in perspective," he said. — Victoria Hernandez

Sepp Straka makes hole in one

A third hole in one for the day was recorded, this time on the 155-yard No. 5 hole, which is the longest hole of the competition.

Sepp Straka blasted his tee shot just past the hole, but drew it back and it rolled right in. Straka jumped into the air and celebrated with his group Chris Kirk and J.T. Poston.

Rickie Fowler maintains lead at Par 3 Contest

Rickie Fowler checked into the clubhouse with a score of 5 under, good enough for a three stroke lead at the Par 3 competition.

Fowler is followed by Austin Eckroat, Gary Woodland and Sepp Straka, each at 2 under par. Eckroat's round is over.

Jose Maria Olazabal, Ryan Fox, Denny McCarthy, Peter Malnati, Stephan Jaeger and J.T. Poston all sit at 1 under par.

Bubba Watson’s daughter, Dakota, finishes off two putts

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson is competing at the Par 3 contest and has had a few amazing shots at both tournaments. He had his daughter, Dakota, with him on Wednesday and she mirrored her father's skills.

She tapped a putt and bounced up and down anxiously waiting for the ball to go in. When it did, the pro encouraged her to wave to the fans and she lifted her hand shyly.

On the next hole, she tapped another putt and the ball dropped again. This time, she raised her first confidently with a big grin. — Victoria Hernandez

Gary Woodland makes hole in one

The 140-yard No. 6 hole was the setting for the day's second hole in one.

Gary Woodland followed Luke List's lead with an ace to go 5 under par. Woodland went up over the water and well to the left of the hole, but he kicked the ball right and it rolled into the hole to a loud applause from the crowd. It was Woodland's first career hole in one at the Par 3 Contest.

Woodland, who had surgery on a brain lesion in September, celebrated with his three children and wife, Gabby.

Luke List makes first hole in one of 2024 Par 3 contest

The Par 3 Contest is a chance for the golfers to relax and enjoy family time, but it’s still a competition.

Luke List made the first hole in one of the day with a clean hit on the sixth hole. The ball sailed through the air, landed on the green and rolled right to drop into the cup. He raised his hands in celebration and kneeled down to acknowledge his kids, daughter Ryan and son Harrison, before giving his wife, Chloe, a kiss.

It’s the 108th hole in one in the history of the contest. — Victoria Hernandez

Scottie Scheffler confirms status if wife goes into labor

World Golf Ranking No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who won the 2022 Masters, might not make it through the weekend at Augusta.

Scheffler's wife, Meredith, is due in a few weeks with the couple's first child. While mic'd up during the Par 3 Contest, Scheffler confirmed he would immediately withdraw from the Masters if Meredith should go into labor.

"That is very true. Extremely factual. I'll be outta here," Scheffler confirmed. "Yeah, I think first child wins over quite a many things in my life."

Scheffler's sister, Sara, is his caddy during the Par 3 Contest.

Grayson Murray's fiancee drains long putt

Grayson Murray, who claimed his second career PGA Tour victory in January by winning the Sony Open in a playoff, watched with delight as his caddy (and, more importantly, fiancee), Christiana Ritchie, made a lengthy putt during the competition.

Murray smiled and pumped his fist as the ball dropped in the hole, and then he and Ritchie shared a smooch.

Ritchie later showed off her swing from the tee box.

The two got engaged in December 2023.

Adam Scott nearly hits a hole in one

Adam Scott, who was part of the first group to tee off, nearly hit a hole in one at the ninth hole.

He smacked the ball across the lake and it landed on the green where it rolled downhill to the left and almost went in the hole. But it rolled just a little above it.

Rickie Fowler is now leading the Par 3 Contest with a score of 3 under through six holes. — Victoria Hernandez

Jordan Spieth helps young son hit at Par 3 contest

The charm of the Par 3 contest was on full display Wednesday.

Jordan Spieth, who won the 2015 Masters, is participating in the family friendly event with his 2 ½ year old son, Sammy.

The golf pro helped Sammy put the ball on a tee and then let him take a swing. The young boy connected perfectly for the hit and the crowd cheered. Spieth squatted down to give his little buddy a high five. — Victoria Hernandez

Adam Scott leading Par 3 Contest

With birdies on three of his first five holes, Adam Scott is the current leader in the Par 3 Contest at Augusta. He leads by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Ian Woosnam.

Keegan Bradley says Par 3 is release from Masters pressure

Keegan Bradley, who won the Par 3 Contest in 2011, is participating with his children running around Augusta and his wife supporting him in his eighth Masters appearance.

He spoke on how the lighthearted day is a stress reliever ahead of the major tournament.

"On Wednesday, the pressure’s starting to build up, so this is a bit of a release," he said. "To see the boys running around in their suits is amazing." — Victoria Hernandez

Adam Scott out to make history at Par 3 Contest with his daughter

No one has ever won the Masters and the Par 3 Contest in the same year, but Adam Scott, who won the green jacket in 2013, isn’t worried.

"We’ll give it a go, all things are broken," he said. "We have nothing to lose."

Scott has his 9-year-old daughter, Bo, as his caddie. — Victoria Hernandez

Par 3 Contest has teed off

Trevor Immelman, Adam Scott and Ian Woosnam have taken their first hits on a peaceful sunny day at Augusta. Woosnam had a good hit that almost went in.

Immelman, who won the 2008 Masters, will serve has Jim Nantz' co-host for the Saturday and Sunday rounds of the Masters. He ended up with a birdie. — Victoria Hernandez

When is Masters Par 3 Contest 2024? 

The Masters Par 3 Contest is held the Wednesday before the tournament gets underway at Augusta National's nine-hole, par-27 course. The 2024 Masters Tournament runs Thursday through Sunday.

What time is Masters Par 3 Contest 2024? 

The Masters Par 3 Contest gets underway at noon ET on Wednesday, April 10.

How to watch Par 3 Masters: TV channel, live stream info 

The Par 3 Contest will air Wednesday on ESPN from 3-5 p.m. ET. It will be streamed live on Masters.com and the Masters app from 2-5 p.m. ET.

Masters Par 3 Contest tee times

What is the Masters Par 3 contest? 

A family-friendly, light-hearted appetizer for the Masters main course, the annual Masters Par 3 Contest provides some of the most charming moments of the entire week at Augusta National Golf Club.

The nine-hole exhibition brings the 2024 Masters entrants together with past Masters champions for some fun and frivolity before the competition gets serious the following day. Significant others and children are invited to tag along as caddies during the round, even wearing the traditional all-white uniforms, in an event that dates back to 1960.

Adding to the cute factor, you may even see some of the caddies attempt a putt or two. — Steve Gardner

How many holes are Masters Par 3 Contest? 

The contest is a single round, nine holes with par-27, and features holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards. — Steve Gardner

Masters TV schedule 2024 

Check out the complete Masters Tournament 2024 TV schedule. Stream the Masters on Fubo.

Who won Masters Par 3 contest 2023? 

American Tom Hoge won last year's Par 3 Contest at 6-under par. He missed the cut in the Masters Tournament. — Steve Gardner

When did Masters Par 3 Contest begin? 

The Par 3 Contest tradition started in 1960, with Sam Snead winning the first event.

"I like the idea of the Par 3 (Contest) the day before the Masters," Snead said at the event's inaugural edition. "It gives the boys confidence and I know it gave me confidence that I can hit the greens and sink the putts." — Steve Gardner

Is it bad luck to win the Masters Par 3 Contest? 

Apparently, yes. No player has ever won the Par 3 Contest and then gone on to win the Masters in the same year. The closest any Par 3 Contest winner has come to claiming the Green Jacket was as runner-up, accomplished in 1990 by Ray Floyd and 1993 by Chip Beck. — Steve Gardner

Masters Par 3 Contest Winners 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who won Masters Par 3 contest 2024? Leaderboard, highlights, results