Justin Thomas joins exclusive group after 10-year gap between hole-in-ones at Augusta’s Par 3 Contest.
Justin Thomas has joined an elite group of golfers with a remarkable achievement at the Masters Par 3 Contest. His ace this year marked his first hole-in-one at the event in a full decade, placing him among only five players in history to record aces separated by at least 10 years at the competition.
Thomas’s ace in 2024 came eight years after his previous one in 2016 at the Par 3 Course at Augusta National Golf Club. The achievement underscores the rarity of consecutive aces at the annual pre-Masters event, which has become a cherished tradition among competitors preparing for the year’s first major.
Elite Company in Par 3 Contest History
The five players who have achieved 10-plus year gaps between aces at the Par 3 Contest represent some of golf’s most enduring competitors. Craig Stadler holds the longest drought, with 32 years separating his aces in 1979 and 2011. Gary Player recorded his remarkable span across 23 years, with aces in 1993 and 2016. Luke List achieved a 19-year gap between his 2005 and 2024 aces.
The completion of this exclusive group showcases the unpredictability of the Par 3 Contest, where course conditions, pin placements, and player form converge in unexpected ways. For many competitors, an ace at the event becomes a highlight career moment—making multiple aces across different eras of play a remarkable distinction.
Par 3 Contest as Masters Tradition
The Par 3 Contest has remained one of golf’s most beloved pre-tournament events since its inception. Held on the Wednesday before the Masters, the competition features all four par-3 holes on Augusta’s property and serves as both a competitive warm-up and a festive gathering for the world’s best golfers. Prize money is modest, but the bragging rights and the tradition of the event make it genuinely competitive.
For Thomas, the ace adds another layer to his Augusta National legacy as he prepares for the main event. Whether it signals improved form heading into the major remains to be seen, but the milestone achievement certainly provides a memorable moment in what promises to be an eventful Masters week.
This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue