Masters Par 3 Contest: Updates, Schedule, and How to Watch

The 64th edition of the Masters Par 3 Contest is taking place on April 8, 2026, at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. This annual tradition serves as the immediate precursor to the 2026 Masters tournament, which is scheduled to begin on April 9, 2026.

The event is held on a nine-hole, par-27 golf course designed by Cliff Roberts and George Cobb. The course is specifically situated around Ike’s Pond and DeSoto Springs Pond.

A central element of the Par 3 Contest is its family-oriented atmosphere. Participants are encouraged to invite their children and grandchildren to the course to serve as caddies or to occasionally assist with a chip shot or a putt.

Broadcast and Viewing Schedule

Coverage for the April 8, 2026, event begins at noon ET. The first two hours of the competition are available exclusively via streaming on the Masters app, Masters.com, and ESPN’s proprietary services.

Main television coverage is scheduled to air on ESPN from 2 p.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET. Additional streaming options include ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, and Fubo, the latter of which provides a free trial for viewers.

The ESPN broadcast team for the event features Marty Smith and Scott Van Pelt. They are joined by former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, who serves as one of the hosts starting at 2 p.m. ET.

Historical Context and Records

The Par 3 Contest has been a staple of the Masters since its inception in 1960. Sam Snead won the inaugural competition and eventually became the first player to secure multiple victories, winning again in 1974.

Padraig Harrington holds the record for the most wins in the history of the contest. Harrington has won three times, with victories in 2003, 2004, and 2012.

Seven players have achieved multiple wins in the event. In addition to Snead and Harrington, this group includes Tom Watson, who won in 1982 and 2018, as well as David Toms, Jay Haas, Isao Aoki, and Sandy Lyle.

The course record is held by Jimmy Walker, who shot a 19 (8 under) during the 2016 contest.

Recent Results and Statistics

Colombian golfer Nico Echavarría was the winner of the 2025 Par 3 Contest. In the subsequent 2025 Masters tournament, Echavarría finished in 51st place.

Rickie Fowler won the contest in 2024. That specific competition saw five holes-in-one recorded by the participants.

Over the history of the event, there have been 112 total holes-in-one. The record for the most holes-in-one in a single year was set in 2016, when nine were made.

The competition has been decided by a playoff on 21 separate occasions and has ended in a tie three times.

Despite the prestige associated with the victory, there is a notable trend regarding the main tournament. To date, no winner of the Par 3 Contest has gone on to win the Masters in the same calendar year.