At times, sports are defined by strange traditions and persistent curses—and golf is no exception. One of the most unique examples comes from Augusta National, where The Masters tournament carries not just immense prestige, but a series of unwritten challenges. No golfer has ever won The Masters in their debut since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, and the Father’s Day weekend finale often adds emotional pressure, leading to memorable defeats.
Among the most intriguing patterns is linked to a seemingly harmless event: the Par 3 Contest. What began as a fun, family-oriented tradition has now become infamous for a “curse.” Since its beginning in 1960, the Par 3 Contest has yet to produce a winner who goes on to win The Masters in the same week. Despite its lighthearted tone, the event has become something golfers treat with caution.
Watch: Fargo’s Tom Hoge sinks hole-in-one at Masters Par 3 Contest https://t.co/V9FMkcHL67
— Inforum Sports (@InforumSports) April 9, 2025
The contest, held on a separate nine-hole course at Augusta, features short holes ranging from 90 to 155 yards and invites players to enjoy the game with loved ones. It’s not uncommon to see children caddying, partners taking swings, and players simply enjoying themselves. In 2016, Jimmy Walker set a record with a remarkable 19-under score, even recording a hole-in-one.
But the so-called “Par 3 Curse” still holds strong. Only two golfers have ever won both the Par 3 Contest and The Masters in their careers—Ben Crenshaw and Vijay Singh—but neither managed the feat in the same week. Crenshaw had already won The Masters before taking the Par 3 title in 1987, and Singh won his Par 3 title in 1994, but didn’t win The Masters until six years later.
Several great players have tried to break the pattern and failed. Raymond Floyd looked poised to do so in 1990 but lost a significant lead in the final stretch and was defeated by Nick Faldo in a playoff. More recently, Rickie Fowler won the 2024 Par 3 Contest but finished tied for 30th in the tournament. In 2023, Tom Hoge claimed the Par 3 title but failed to make the cut at the main event. In 2019, Matt Wallace also won the Par 3 but didn’t reach the weekend rounds.
Some players have even begun to purposefully avoid winning. To dodge the curse, golfers sometimes let their caddies or family members hit shots, which disqualifies them but still allows them to participate in the event’s joy.
As for the 2025 edition of the contest, it has already delivered excitement and superstition. Nicolas Echavarria and J.J. Spaun currently share the lead at five-under-par. There have now been 112 holes-in-one recorded in the contest’s history. Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm called the event one of the most enjoyable traditions in sports, appreciating the family bonding it allows before the tournament begins—though his young son was reportedly more interested in kicking the ball than playing it.
Meanwhile, Bubba Watson is currently leading the contest after sinking a near ace. With the Masters tournament already underway, the question lingers: will this be the year the curse is broken?
As history shows, winning the Par 3 might be a moment of pride, but when it comes to claiming the Green Jacket later in the week, many players and fans alike still believe in the curse. Whether it’s pure coincidence or something more, the Par 3 Contest remains one of Augusta’s most intriguing and entertaining mysteries.