One unique staple of the Masters is set to return this April. Augusta National released its annual media guide for the 2022 Masters on Wednesday, including a formal schedule of events. Among them? The Par-3 Contest.
The Masters Par-3 Contest was canceled in each of the last two years on account of the pandemic, first at the delayed November Masters in 2020 and then again for last year’s playing in April.
Now, one of the Masters’ most cherished traditions is set to return. The event is traditionally held the Wednesday before the first round, in this case on April 6, and begins at noon ET. ESPN will broadcast the action from 3-5 p.m. ET.
Designed in 1958 by architect George Cobb and Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts, the first Masters Par-3 Contest was held in 1960 and won by Sam Snead. It’s morphed into one of the week’s must-see events for on-site patrons, with past champions and current players (often with their families in tow) taking on the 1,060-yard short course. Its holes range from 70 to 140 yards, while undulating, lightning-fast greens — and some superb wedge play — can lead to several aces. To date, there have been 100 holes-in-one made during the contest, but no Par-3 champion has ever won the Masters that same year.
