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Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Will Rory McIlroy play at the Par-3-Contest?

Will Rory McIlroy compete at the Par-3-Contest of the US Masters 2024?
Will Rory McIlroy compete at the Par-3-Contest of the US Masters 2024?

The Par-3-contest of the Masters Tournament is traditionally held on the wednesday before the tournament begins. The players spend a day with their families on the golf course and the main focus of this small tournament is on having fun. However, more and more players are considering whether they want to take part in the event at all. As no player who has ever won the Par-3-Contest has went on to win the green jacket the same year, rumor has it that a curse lies on the winner of the competition.

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll File for Divorce Amid Major Preparations

Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament Par-3-Contest

Rory McIlroy’s “game plan” for the Masters seems to be finalised. The Northern Irishman plans to arrive later than ever before on Tuesday evening, as revealed in a practice round with TGL team mate Keegan Bradley.

Even though McIlroy has never won the Par-3-Tournament and therefore no curse can’t be blamed for not winning the masters, the world number two is thinking about eliminating any risk that could stand in the way of a win at Augusta National.

He goes on explaining, he is going to skip the iconic Par 3 Contest on Wednesday in order to “shake things up” in his preparation for the first Major of the season.

Follow Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament live

What is the Par-3-Contest

The Par 3 Contest is one of the most cherished traditions at the Masters. Taking place on the Wednesday of Tournament week, this year on April 10th, players, family members, and fans alike gather to witness this special event. Originally intended as a means of stress relief before the main tournament, the Par 3 Contest has evolved into a staple of the Masters since its debut in 1960. Participants, including current players and former champions, compete on a nine-hole course skillfully integrated into the northeast corner of the Augusta National Golf Club. Under the watchful eyes of spectators and often with family members acting as caddies, short shots are played over DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike’s Pond. Yet, the true allure of the Par 3 Contest lies not only in the competitive spirit but also in the familial atmosphere it fosters. Children and grandchildren, clad in miniature Augusta National overalls, provide heartwarming moments as they accompany players with their light bags or carry the flag. It’s an opportunity to celebrate tradition and community spirit, away from the intense competition of the main Masters tournament.

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Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Masters Week Starts With Rare Solar Eclipse

Patrons witness a rare natural spectacle at the The Masters Tournament 2024. (Image: Getty)
Patrons witness a rare natural spectacle at the The Masters Tournament 2024. (Image: Getty)

There is only a few days left to wait until the prestigious The Masters Tournament 2024 officially begins. And although the tournament’s opening round doesn’t tee off until Thursday, many golf enthusiasts were already treated to the first highlight on Monday. Taking place off the course – a solar eclipse left many spectators in awe.

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The Masters Tournament 2024: An unparalleled setting for a natural spectacle

The start of the Masters week already offered plenty on Monday. A majority of the 89 players qualified for the tournament in Augusta played their first practice round. Among them was Tiger Woods, whom spectators could follow early in the morning on the back nine alongside Will Zalatoris. However, the event that garnered the most attention took place in the sky. Through the eclipse glasses distributed at the event, spectators, caddies, and players could witness the partial solar eclipse in its maximum obscuration around 3 p.m. in the afternoon.

Total Solar Eclipse in Some Parts of the Continent

In a narrow strip, the rare natural phenomenon traveled from Mexico across the USA to Canada. During this event, the moon moved directly in front of the sun, obscuring it and causing relative darkness in the middle of the day. While 14 states in the USA experienced a total solar eclipse, the venue of the The Masters Tournament 2024 in the state of Georgia enjoyed at least a partial solar eclipse of up to 76%. The next solar eclipse of a similar magnitude is not expected until 2044.

Live Blog: Follow the Masters Tournament 2024

Indeed, this natural event was not the first to attract attention at a Masters. In 1940, an annular solar eclipse occurred, obscuring about 90 percent of the sun. It happened just after 5 p.m. and lasted about 2½ hours.

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Highlights Tours

Why Isn’t Rory McIlory At The Masters Champions Dinner?

Rory McIlroy in the last round of the 2023 Masters Tournament. (Image: Getty)
Rory McIlroy in the last round of the 2023 Masters Tournament. (Image: Getty)

Rory McIlroy is one of the worlds outstanding golfers, both on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. But with appearances on all Majors, Tour finals and every other big tournament there is in golf, one special occasion is still missing in McIlroys yearly schedule, the Masters Champions Dinner.

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Rory McIlroy and The Masters Champions Dinner at Augusta National

So why is Rory McIlroy not invited to the famous Masters Dinner? As the official name of the – probably most famous – dinner in golf suggests, the “Masters Champions Dinner” is just for the elite circle of past and reigning Masters Champions. The tradition was originally startet by Ben Hogan back in the 1950s and is continued as a popular tradition, not just for the attendees, but for golf fans as well. The Masters Champions Dinner Menu is a talking point for many and is chosen by the reigning Masters Champion from the previous year.

So Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and this years host Jon Rahm are going to be present, but Rory McIlroy didn’t get an invite. Because as simple as it is, he hasn’t won a Masters Tournament yet.

Rory McIlroy at The Masters Tournament

So for McIlroy the Masters-Odyssey doesn’t stop at a missing invite to this dinner. The Northern Irishman is negatively famous for being “cursed” at the first Major of each golf season. With wins at the PGA Championship, the US Open and the Open Championship the only Major missing for his Grand Slam is the Masters Tournament.

Follow Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament live

In 2022 the Northern Irishman came close to a victory with a second place but fumbled in his last round and Scottie Scheffler claimed his first Major title in response. In 2023 McIlroy even missed the cut. So starting this years Major season he changed his routines by missing the famous Par 3 Contest on Wednesday.

Who Pays For The Masters Champions Dinner?
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Highlights Tours

Who Pays For The Masters Champions Dinner?

The traditional annual Masters Champions Dinner at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Image: Twitter/@themasters)
The traditional annual Masters Champions Dinner at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Image: Twitter/@themasters)

The greatest players on golf, all gathered at a dinner table? This happens once every year with the Masters Champions Dinner. All previous Masters Tournament Champions come together the Tuesday before the event and dine a menu chosen by the reigning Champion.

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The Start Of A Tradition – Thanks To Ben Hogan

The tradition started with none other than Ben Hogan in 1952, when the Champion of the 1951’s edition first invited the other Masters Champions to a “stag dinner at the Augusta National” as quoted in the invitation posted on Hungry Fan. From burgers and fries (Tigers first Masters Dinner at just 22 years old) over haggis to a traditional Basque menu in this years Champions Dinner held by Jon Rahm, the food choices of the Major Champions are quite different each year.

But no worries for picky eaters, if you don’t like parts of the menu the Augusta National offers the normal menu to choose from instead. Altough, as Trevor Immelman stated in the Fore Play Podcast recently, it’s always best to try the options chosen by the Champions which are “always extraordinary”.

Rory McIlroy’s Tee Times for The Masters Tournament

Who Pays For The Masters Tournament Champions Dinner?

Trevor Immelman not only spoke about his experience attending the Dinner as a guest but also what it is like hosting the iconic evening. The 2008 Masters Champion revealed that the host not only chooses the menu but also has to pay for the evening. “The defending champion does pay for the meal which is a really cool tradition”, Immelman said in the Fore Play Podcast. And for such a special night the Augusta National carries out some of the finest bourbons, so the Masters Champions – in this case Immelman and Adam Scott – get a taste and end the night on a high note (with a peaty flavor in the finish).

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PGA Tour

The Masters Tournament 2024: Journey To The Coveted Green Jacket

Before the Masters Tournament 2024 starts on Thursday, fans can look forward to a diverse pre-tournament program. (Photo: Getty)

As one of golf’s most prestigious events, the Masters Tournament 2024 commands attention worldwide. Starting April 11, golf’s elite will gather at Augusta National Golf Club, vying for the legendary “Green Jacket.”

But the tournament excitement already begins before Thursday’s opening tee-off, featuring unique events like the Champions Dinner on Tuesday and the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday. Golf Post will guide you through the year’s first major, from the initial preparations to the final putt.

Your Guide To The Masters Tournament 2024

Players arrive on Sunday and Monday for practice rounds. By tradition, former champions can play the course with a guest of their choice on the Sunday preceding Masters Week. Up until Wednesday, all players will be preparing at Augusta National. Pay special attention to Hole 16, where players often attempt to skip the ball over the water hazard to reach the green on the other side.

Tuesday, April 9

The traditional Champions Dinner, hosted by defending champion Jon Rahm, promises a feast for the senses. Rahm, who made history at Augusta National last year, honors his Spanish heritage with his menu selection. This year, the interaction between LIV Golf League representatives and the PGA Tour is highly anticipated, especially since Rahm switched to the LIV Tour just eight months after his Masters win.

Additionally, on Tuesday at 6:00 PM, the tee times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be announced, ensuring fans know when to tune in to see their favorites.

Wednesday, April 10

The Par-3 Contest, a cheerful prelude to the serious competition, brings players, their families, and fans together in a relaxed setting on Augusta National’s Par-3 course. Children serving as caddies, light-hearted moments, and the occasional hole-in-one make this event a true highlight. Yet, historically, winning this contest has not been a good omen for securing the Masters victory that same year.

Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14

With the start of the first round on Thursday, the battle for one of golf’s most coveted symbols, the Green Jacket, commences. Honorary starters, golf legends like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, initiate the tournament with the traditional first tee shot. Thursday and Friday see the Masters tournament field begin in threesomes. The first tee-off is expected early afternoon local time. Only those within the Top 50 and ties or within ten strokes of the lead will advance to the weekend at Augusta.

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Over the days leading to Sunday, the field narrows until only the champion remains, earning not just the traditional Green Jacket but also a $3.24 million prize.

Who Is Competing In The Masters Tournament 2024?

The participant list reads like a who’s who of golf: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler are just a few names expected to make waves at Augusta’s fairways. Tiger Woods also returns to professional tournament play here, his first since having to withdraw from the second round of the Genesis Invitational 2024 in February.

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Highlights Tours Professionals

The Masters Tournament 2024: What Are Rory McIlroy’s Winning Odds?

Looking for his fifth major title at the US Masters: Rory McIlroy. (Image: Getty)
Looking for his fifth major title at the US Masters: Rory McIlroy. (Image: Getty)

Only one week from now the Masters Tournament will hold a new champion. Well, that is of course if the reigning champion Jon Rahm doesn’t defend his title. As per usual, no major is being played without having various discussions about possible outcomes, title contenders or dark horses. When talking title contenders, none of these discussions can be had without including Rory McIlroy. We’re having a look at what the odds for a McIlroy win look like and why even though ranked second in the Official World Golf Ranking, most may not hold him as one of the favorites to win at Augusta.

Essentially, McIlroy is currently not in bad form and has repeatedly won tournaments such as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic or the Genesis Scottish Open. However, it still seems wrong to include the world number two in the tight circle of favorites on par with players like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. The reason for this is obvious: McIlroy has not won a major tournament in the past ten years.

The trophy cabinet desperately awaits another major title

His last victory in a major dates back to 2014 when he won the PGA Championship. It marks his fourth major title after winning the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and the Open Championship in 2014. Since then, he has been unable to fulfill his dream of a Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments. Only the Masters Tournament is missing for him to achieve this. However, considering his lack of success at majors in recent years, there are hardly any arguments to suggest why he should fulfill his Grand Slam dream at the upcoming Masters. But let’s stop the pessimism and have a look at the bright side for a moment.

Why there is hope for optimism at the Masters Tournament 2024

With all that being said, it’s not like Rory McIlroy doesn’t perform in his major appearances. In the last five years, the North Irish player placed inside the top 10 at major tournaments twelve times. He just didn’t get lucky enough to win one of them. However his past results at the Masters Tournament were very inconsistent. Last year didn’t go as planned, as he missed the cut, just like in 2021. In between he had a very close shot at the title with his runner-up finish in 2022. In 2020 he finished tied for fifth place.

His current form also suggests that a good finish at the Masters this year isn’t beyond imagination. This year started off great, with a tied runner-up finish at the Dubai Invitational and a victory in the following week. McIlroy also placed inside the top-20 at the Players Championship and secured a third place the Valero Texas Open, looking to build some confidence for the upcoming week.

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Professionals

Can Scottie Scheffler Get The Grand Slam?

Does Scottie Scheffler have what it takes to win a Grand Slam? (Source: Getty)
Does Scottie Scheffler have what it takes to win a Grand Slam? (Source: Getty)

In 119 PGA Tour events, Scottie Scheffler has made the cut an incredible 100 times, finished in the top 10 50 times and won a total of eight times on tour. These include victories at prestigious tournaments such as the WM Phoenix Open, the Players Championship and even the Masters. Scheffler has collected over 54 million dollars in prize money to date and, at the age of 27, is already one of the best golfers of his generation. But does the world number one also have what it takes to achieve a career Grand Slam?

Scottie Schefflers magical PGA Tour journey

Scottie Scheffler joined the PGA Tour in 2018 and shook up the tour just one year later. In the 2019/2020 season, Scheffler already achieved seven top 10 finishes in 23 events and showed his terrific skills on the golf course. His breakthrough finally came just one year later when he earned his first runner-up on the PGA Tour at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play and advanced to the Tour Championship for the second consecutive season, finishing the season No. 22 in the FedExCup standings. Recorded eight top-10s, one more than his total from his rookie season, made the cut in 24 of 29 starts. Following the Tour Championship, he even was selected as a captain’s pick to represent the United States at the Ryder Cup, marking his first appearance at the event.

In the following two years Scottie Scheffler began to show that he is going to be one of the best golfers who has ever played on Tour. Scheffler won the Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA Tour Player of the Year of the 2021/20222 season. Furthermore he earned his first four PGA Tour titles in a span of only six starts, including his first major championship title, winning the WM Phoenix Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational, World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play and the Masters Tournament. After this incredible achievement he moved to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career following his third victory (March 27), becoming the 25th player in the OWGR era to reach the No. 1 position. He moved on to winning multiple times again the following season and breaking a couple of records.

2024 and grand slam hopes

In the 2024 Scottie Scheffler so far kep up his amazing golf. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and clinched the title at the Players Championship for the scond year in a row. Now, as the major season awaits, Scheffler is one of the absolute top favorites in all major tournaments. The exceptional golfer must even be expected to win the grand slam. Nevertheless it is certain that Scheffler is one of the hottest contenders alongside Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy to join the select circle of career grand slam winners.

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Highlights Tours

Can Jon Rahm and other LIV Players start at the Masters?

Jon Rahm and many other LIV Players have managed to win at the Masters. Can one of the 13 LIV Golfers clinch the title this year at Augusta? (Source: Getty)
Jon Rahm and many other LIV Players have managed to win at the Masters. Can one of the 13 LIV Golfers clinch the title this year at Augusta? (Source: Getty)

The Masters is drawing ever closer and many players are among the big favorites. In addition to the superstars of the PGA Tour such as Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, some players from the rival LIV Tour are also laying claim to the title. These include former Masters Winners Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia or Dustin Johnson. Find out here why the LIV Stars are allowed to compete and what chances they have.

Jon Rahm and Co.: 13 LIV Players to start at the Masters Tournament

LIV Golf star Sergio Garcia has sent a clear message to the rest of the field: Those from the Saudi-backed circuit are “coming for that Green Jacket”. Garcia, one of the 13 players from the LIV Golf League set to tee it up at The Masters from April 11-14, has already secured a lifelong exemption to the event after his dramatic playoff victory at Augusta National in 2017.

Also returning as defending champion is Jon Rahm, who clinched victory last year with a four-shot lead over fellow LIV Golf League members Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, the latter of whom went on to win the PGA Championship the following month. The roster of LIV Players vying for the coveted Green Jacket reads like a who’s who of golf: Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, and Charl Schwartzel, all former recipients of the esteemed jacket and therefore holders of lifelong exemptions at the Masters, alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who qualified as recent winners of a different major.

But there are also fresh faces ready to make their mark. Tyrrell Hatton earned his spot after qualifying for the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship last August. Adrian Meronk secured his place by finishing 2023 inside the world’s top 50. Joaquin Niemann accepted a special invitation following three top-five finishes on the DP World Tour.

Rahm believes that a LIV Player can clinch the title at the Masters

With 88 players set to feature at The Masters and one final spot available to the winner of the Valero Texas Open, just over 14 percent of the major field will hail from the LIV Golf League.

Golf pundit Nick Dougherty believes Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Rory McIlroy will be among the contenders vying for the Green Jacket in Augusta, with hopes resting on McIlroy to complete a career grand slam and etch his name into history. “There is quite a few major champions in LIV and there is a few that are major champion quality golfers,” defending champion Jon Rahm said. “So just pure numbers, if you go with math, wouldn’t be the highest, but I’m confident that one of us can get it done this year.”

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Highlights Tours

Has Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament?

Has Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament before?
Has Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament before?

Rory McIlroy is one of the best golfers of his generation and beyond. The Northern Irishman has already won numerous titles on the PGA Tour in his career and McIlroy has also won several of the four major events. However, the Northern Irishman is only one title short of becoming a legend.

Rory McIlroys outstanding carrer

Rory McIlroy won his first professional event at the age of just 20, launching his great career. Two years later, he achieved his first triumph at a major event when he won the US Open with the best score ever achieved at this tournament of 16 strokes under par. In March 2012, at the age of 22, he became the second youngest number 1 in the world golf rankings of all time and won his second major at the PGA Championship in August of the same year. McIlroy scored his third major success in 2014 with his victory at the British Open, which means he is now only missing a Masters victory for the career grand slam. In the same year, McIlroy also achieved his fourth and last Major success to date when he won the PGA Championship for the second time.

McIlroys Masters Tournament tragedy

McIlroy is making his 16th Masters Tournament appearance in 2024. He won over four million dollars in Augusta and in 2022 he came closer than ever before to a victory with second place. Nevertheless, McIlroy’s story at the Masters could be described as tragic.

This dates back to 2011 when McIlroy caused a sensation at augusta for the first time. In April, the then 21-year-old blew a four-shot lead after the third day of the Masters and finished the tournament in a tie for 15th place. That was the first time McIlroy was halfway into the green jacket that he has not yet been allowed to wear. In the following three years, McIlroy went on a real winning spree and won four majors during this time, but since 2014 his run has come to a halt. McIlroy is just one win away from joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win a career Grand Slam at the US Masters. But although he came close time and again, it just doesn’t seem to work out for the Northern Irishman at Augusta. The 34-year-old has finished the tournament in the top 10 seven times in the last ten years, even finishing in the top five four times. After missing the cut in 2023, McIlroy will make another attempt to finally put an end to his Augusta-Curse and win a major tournament again after ten years to complete the career grand slam.

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Equipment

Golf Pride Announces The Honorary Starter Limited Edition Grip

The new special edition Golf Pride Masters grip. (Image: Golf Pride)
The new special edition Golf Pride Masters grip. (Image: Golf Pride)

Golf Pride, an industry leader in golf performance equipment, is celebrating the annual trip to Augusta, GA with the unveiling of its 2024 Honorary Starter grip, a commemorative version of the MCC Plus4™ that is available through select retailers beginning April 8. Golf Pride has a long and storied history of success in Augusta with its first victory coming in the 1967 tournament. Over the last 56 years, Golf Pride has been trusted by the hands of 43 champions, including an unprecedented run of 17 consecutive victories between 1987 and 2003.

Golfers Favorite Grip In A New Masters Look

Golf Pride’s MCC collection is the most widely used golf grip in the world. This is true at the amateur level as well as all professional tours across the globe. In fact, MCC will be trusted by many of the athletes competing in the 2024 tournament. Golf Pride expects to be in the hands of at least 80% of players in Augusta with MCC representing 30% of those players.

As such, this grip is designed to evoke the prestige, lore and mystique of the tournament and pays homage to the success of both Golf Pride and MCC over the years in Augusta. As with all MCC Plus4 models, it is a hybrid golf grip designed with a larger lower hand section that simulates four additional wraps of tape to encourage lighter grip pressure, reduced tension, and increased speed.

“The first major championship of the season is here and we are proud to have been trusted by the hands of so many past champions in the event’s storied history,” says James Ledford, President of Golf Pride. “The legends who have chosen our grips over the past 60 years are a testament to the innovation, quality and longevity of our brand. The Honorary Starter pays tribute to the past while utilising the modern technology that has made Golf Pride the most recognisable grip brand in the world.”

The 2024 limited edition design will be available in both standard and midsize.

About Golf Pride

Since its founding in 1949, Golf Pride has become synonymous with the highest quality performance equipment in golf. Today, from its Global Innovation Center (GIC) in Pinehurst, NC, Golf Pride continues to lead in grip innovation by continuing to obsess over the only connection between our golfers’ hands and the club. That’s why more than 80% of the world’s highest performing golfers choose Golf Pride. For professionals, top amateurs and recreational golfers of all skill levels, Golf Pride sets the standard – in performance and design. To learn more about Golf Pride, go to golfpride.com.

Text: Golf Pride