The Masters delivered another family-heavy scene in Augusta National on Wednesday, with the annual Par 3 Contest bringing together players, partners, children, and grandchildren on the eve of the main tournament. The Masters atmosphere mixed light-hearted moments with serious form, and England’s Aaron Rai finished on top with a six-under-par 21.
Family moments define The Masters stage
The Masters has long used the Par 3 Contest as a softer opening act, but this year’s edition again showed why it draws so much attention. Gary Player, who turns 91 later this year, was still high-kicking his way around Augusta, while Remy Scheffler, the two-week-old son of Scottie Scheffler, was carried around the course by his mother Meredith. At the other end of the age scale, Tommy Fleetwood’s son Frankie became one of the day’s standout figures.
Fleetwood’s ace came with Frankie serving as his caddie, and the eight-year-old drew heavy attention after his two unsuccessful attempts to reach the green off the ninth tee. Rory McIlroy, playing alongside Shane Lowry, also joined the family-centred setting as players switched off from the pressure that usually defines The Masters week.
Aces, leaderboard pressure, and a rare prize
The Masters Par 3 Contest produced several hole-in-ones. Justin Thomas started the run with the first ace at the par-three second, Wyndham Clark added another at the seventh, and Keegan Bradley followed at the eighth. McIlroy also made a hole-in-one at the fourth, underlining the relaxed but competitive feel of the event.
Rai’s performance stood out for its consistency rather than fireworks. He carded six birdies in a bogey-free round to finish one shot clear of debutants Jacob Bridgeman and Johnny Keefer. Rai said the experience was “phenomenal” and praised the chance to share the round with family members, adding that he was not expecting to play as well as he did. The Englishman is now looking to become the first player in history to win both the Par 3 Contest and The Masters in the same week.
What players and families made of the day
Several players leaned into the occasion by involving relatives and friends. Bryson DeChambeau had comedian Kevin Hart on his bag, while Jason Kelce served as Akshay Bhatia’s caddie. A number of players did not keep official scores after letting wives, partners, children, and grandchildren take shots during the event, adding to the informal tone that has become part of The Masters tradition.
DeChambeau called Hart’s involvement “really cool” and said it was special to see a major public figure getting into golf and seeing the game at this level. Rai, meanwhile, credited his wife Gaurika, also a professional golfer, for helping him read his putts on the way to victory.
What comes next at Augusta
The Par 3 Contest once again showed that The Masters is not only about fairway lies and pin positions. It is also about the unusual way the event brings generations together, from newborns to near-nonagenarians, in one of golf’s most watched settings. As the serious play begins, The Masters will now shift from family images and short-course smiles to the pressure of the main championship.
