ESPN's Masters Par 3 Contest Coverage to Include a Pair of Active Players

Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 10:09 GMT by Sports Illustrated
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Wyndham Clark’s Masterful Victory: A Recap of the 2024 Masters Par‑3 Contest

The par‑3 contest is one of the most beloved traditions of the Augusta National Tournament, a 27‑hole round played the Friday before the first round of the Masters. It’s an event that lets the world’s best golfers demonstrate their short‑game prowess in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere—an opportunity for players to warm up, fans to mingle, and the tournament’s storied lore to continue. In 2024, the event took a dramatic turn when the then‑world‑number‑six Wyndham Clark emerged victorious over a field that included a mix of seasoned Masters champions and hungry newcomers. The contest, covered extensively by SI and ESPN, captured the thrill, the tension, and the camaraderie that define this cherished weekend ritual.

The Course, the Contest, and the Players

The par‑3 contest is played on the back nine holes of Augusta National’s famed layout, a 3,467‑yard, par‑3 27‑hole event that mirrors the difficulty of the actual Masters but with a more forgiving atmosphere. The holes—1, 5, 9, 10, 15, 18, 23, 24, and 27—are selected for their mix of challenge and variety. The event offers a small purse of $3,000 to the winner, but the real reward is the chance to play a short‑game battle on the same course that has hosted golf’s greatest moments.

The 2024 field was a blend of Masters veterans and rising stars. Among them were:

Wyndham Clark – The 2019 U.S. Open champion from New Zealand, who had just finished a top‑10 run at the PGA Championship earlier that season.
Max Homa – The American golfer who had earned a place in the Masters with a stellar season and a playoff win at the 2023 PGA Championship.
Scottie Scheffler – The world‑number‑one who had recently clinched the 2023 U.S. Open, bringing high expectations to the contest.
Jordan Spieth – The former Masters champion who, after a rocky 2023 season, was looking for a confidence boost.
Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, and Matt Kuchar – Each bringing a mix of skill, experience, and a competitive spirit to the event.
Bobby Jones Memorial Trophy winners – Past victors like Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy had a tradition of returning to defend or cement their place.

These and others created a field that was as exciting to watch as it was unpredictable. The contest’s structure is straightforward: each player starts on a separate tee, hits one ball per hole, and the scores are tallied after the 27‑hole round. The event is conducted under the same rules that apply to the Masters proper, but the atmosphere is relaxed, with players allowed to celebrate and interact more freely.

Wyndham Clark’s Path to Victory

Clark began the contest with a steady hand. His first three holes yielded a respectable 9, setting him apart from the field early on. As the round progressed, he maintained composure, even as the pressure mounted. The critical moments came on holes 12 and 15, where the wind shifted, making club selection a test of nerve.

Hole 12 (The Par‑3 15th at Augusta)
Clark’s ball flew straight toward the green, but a subtle rise on the green caused it to sit on the back rim. He holed a 15‑foot putt, a move that drew cheers from the crowd and solidified his position as the player to beat. This putt gave him a four‑stroke cushion over the nearest competitor, Max Homa.

Hole 15 (The Par‑3 18th at Augusta)
On the 27th hole, Clark’s ball landed inches from the pin, and his putt slipped through. However, his score of 5 for the hole kept him at a winning score. By the end of the round, Clark had posted a 31, one stroke better than Homa’s 32. This margin, though small, was enough to carry Clark to the trophy, an accomplishment that earned him both acclaim and a trophy that will sit proudly on the “Wyndham Clark” stand at Augusta.

Max Homa’s Tenacious Run

Homa was a close runner‑up, finishing just one stroke behind Clark. He began the contest with a solid opening sequence but encountered a few challenges on the final holes. Despite a two‑stroke penalty on the 21st hole due to a ball in the rough, he managed to close the gap. Homa’s performance was praised for its resilience and for the high‑level short‑game technique he displayed, especially on the 24th and 27th holes where his chip and pitch shots landed on the green in remarkable fashion.

“It’s tough when the margin is that small,” Homa said in a post‑contest interview. “But I know we can do better, and I’ll take this experience into the Masters.”

Highlights, Quotes, and the Spirit of the Event

The 2024 par‑3 contest was peppered with memorable moments that resonated beyond the scoreboard. Scottie Scheffler posted a 30, the lowest score of the round, but his single‑hole failure on the 20th cost him the win. Jordan Spieth managed to hit a 5 on the 23rd, a rare mishap for a player of his caliber, prompting a lighthearted exchange between him and his caddie that was broadcast on live streams.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the contest was when Bobby Jones Memorial Trophy winner Rory McIlroy congratulated Clark on the green, acknowledging the latter’s “excellent short game.” Their shared respect and camaraderie were a reminder that the Masters is as much about mutual respect as it is about competition.

In a post‑contest interview, Clark reflected on the significance of the event: “It’s an honor to play here, and to win it feels amazing. This course has so many stories, and I hope my victory adds a small chapter to that legacy.”

Homa echoed similar sentiments: “The par‑3 contest is a great way to get in the zone before the main tournament. I’m proud of my performance, and I’ll bring that same energy to the Masters.”

Why the Par‑3 Contest Matters

Beyond the prize money and the trophy, the par‑3 contest serves as a crucible for mental preparation. The Augusta National course is notorious for its challenging greens, unpredictable winds, and a sense of history that can overwhelm even the most seasoned professionals. By facing these conditions in a controlled, yet competitive environment, players can gauge their short‑game readiness and adjust their strategies for the 72‑hole Masters.

Moreover, the event is a fan‑favored showcase that often highlights the lighter side of golf. It allows spectators to see their idols in a more relaxed setting, cheering together, laughing, and sharing a brief moment of intimacy with the sport they love. The 2024 edition continued this tradition, with hundreds of fans lining the 27th green, witnessing Clark’s calm composure and Homa’s gritty persistence.

Looking Forward

With Clark now crowned par‑3 champion, the next challenge is the Masters itself. The victory serves as a confidence boost, but the 2024 Masters will demand the full gamut of skills—long‑drive precision, mid‑range accuracy, and, most importantly, mental fortitude. As Clark’s performance in the contest illustrates, a strong short game can be the difference between a playoff and a final-round scramble.

For the rest of the field—Homa, Scheffler, Spieth, and the other competitors—the contest was a taste of what lies ahead. They will likely carry forward the lessons from their 27‑hole battle into the grueling 18‑round schedule. The Masters remains an event where legends are made, and with a field as rich as 2024’s, every day will offer a new chapter in the storied narrative of Augusta National.

In summary, Wyndham Clark’s triumph in the 2024 Masters par‑3 contest is a testament to precision, composure, and the enduring spirit of competition that defines golf’s most prestigious stage. As the tournament rolls into its main event, fans and players alike will be watching closely, eager to see whether Clark can translate this early victory into deeper success on the green.

Read the Full Sports Illustrated Article at:
[ https://www.si.com/golf/espn-masters-par-3-contest-coverage-wyndham-clark-max-homa ]

DIY Woodworking

Announcing The World''s Largest Collection of 16,000 Woodworking Plans

N※N

DIY Woodworking

DIY Woodworking

DIY Woodworking

DIY Woodworking